BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- A development authority that will supervise activities on the tourist island of Boracay is being eyed by members of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
Representative Arnel Ty, chairperson of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said a bill creating a special authority that will run Boracay will be proposed when Congress resumes its session on July 23.
In a media interview after a public hearing on Boracay issues held Friday, Ty said this is to avoid the problems brought about by developments on the island resort that resulted in the closure.
“To have a continuity and sustainability (of the programs in Boracay), we have to create a development authority that will be representing all sectors,” he said.
Ty also stressed that having an authority for Boracay after its rehabilitation would also help prevent problems which need national government intervention.
“Ito ang nakikita nating paraan para hindi na maulit itong mga naging problema natin ngayon (This is the way to prevent the problems we are faced right now from recurring) wherein we have to close the island for six months,” he said.
He said the closure also resulted to revenue losses of the national government as well as the increase in unemployment, displacement, and loss of investor confidence.
The members of the business sector meanwhile expressed their support for the proposed development authority.
“We are in favor as long as we, the business sector, are part of the council,” said Elena Brugger, president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay Chapter.
Boracay Foundation Incorporation president Nenette Graf also said that they are “open for the proposal if it is for the good of the island.”
Though she said they have to study the function of the development authority first.
On the other hand, Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez expressed his commitment to sponsor the bill.
The public hearing conducted by the Committee on Natural Resources held in Boracay was also attended by the members of the committee including North Cotabato Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, Kalinga Rep. Allen Mangaoang, and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlo Zarate.
Present during the public hearing were representatives from the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, the local government unit of Malay as well as representatives from the business sector and civic society organizations. (PNA)
