Business group asks DENR to stop erosion of Boracay beach

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines – A business group has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to check the activities of developers and resort owners that have led to the erosion of a beach in a portion of the country’s premiere tourism destination. In letters to Environment Secretary Jose Atienza, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay expressed alarm that the beach along Barangay Diniwid in Balabag Boracay was already showing signs of severe erosion. "Many establishments at the northern part of Diniwid beach violate national laws and municipal ordinances such as building permanent structures on the marine reserve zone or within the no build zone, the set back from the tide mark, and have no building permits and no mayors permit to operate business as a resort or establishment. These violations aggravate the erosion, which changes the once attractive Diniwid beach," Peter Brugger, PCCI-Boracay external vice president said. Because of the beach erosion, the whole areas of northern Diniwid are not accessible to tourists anymore, particularly at high-tide when the water is two-meters deep due to the abrupt drop of the beach and on the other side fences and buildings, which are a violation of setback laws. Brugger said establishments tried to stop beach erosions by building walls and bring in huge boulders. He laments these act could worsen the erosion. "We hope that the DENR will act on these issues before it's too late to save the beach of Diniwid as well all other beaches on the island, which show visible signs of erosion, too. The PCCI-Boracay is currently in communication to conduct research with National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)/ Mr. Miguel Flores and we hope to be able to work together with your agency on that matter," he added. - GMANews.TV