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Iloilo City — Environment Secretary Jose Atienza has ordered an investigation into violations of environmental laws on Boracay Island, including the construction of resort facilities on coral islets off the main island.
In a memorandum issued on October 26, Atienza ordered Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director Julian Amador to “identify all establishments that continuously failed to comply with environmental laws,” including existing rules and regulations being implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the 1,006-hectare resort island.
“I have a standing order to our people to go after violators, whoever gets hurt,” Atienza said in a statement issued yesterday, adding that “anyone proven to have violated the laws would go to jail.”
Atienza gave Amador two weeks to submit a comprehensive report giving full details of violations, saying that the move was “to ensure that no further environmental damage occurs within and around the island of Boracay while various issues concerning its protection and conservation are being assessed.”
Under his order, the department will come up with a list of violators of environmental laws on Boracay by the first week of November. The list will facilitate the filing of administrative as well as criminal charges against violators.
Atienza also directed the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas to check on allegations that a resort has been constructed on top of coral reefs.
The directives follow protests raised by the Boracay Foundation Inc. and Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industries over the construction of structures by the Boracay West Cove Resort at the no-build zones and on top of the coral reefs.
The resort, owned by businessman Crisostomo Aquino who is closely associated with Atienza and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, is situated in a no-build zone and has been operating allegedly without business and other permits since 2007.
Aquino has denied any violations and has said that his resort has promoted environmental protection and tourism.
The Department of Tourism earlier called on the DENR to stop the unabated illegal construction and other destructive activities on the island and enforce laws “regardless of who gets hurt.”
The moratorium will be in effect until it is lifted by Atienza and when the Boracay Master Plan is approved. inquirer
