ERRING ESTABLISHMENTS. Tourists walk past business establishments in the world-famous Boracay Island. The Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group on Friday (July 19, 2019) started removing establishments that violate the 25+5 coastal easement in Bulabog Beach in Barangay Balabag, Malay, Aklan. (File photo)
ILOILO CITY -- The Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG) on Friday began the demolition of establishments violating the 25+5 coastal easement in Bulabog Beach in Barangay Balabag, Malay, Aklan.
Natividad Bernardino, general manager of BIARMG, said the group targets to take down eight erring establishments "within the week."
“We have started with one establishment on Friday and we hope to finish all eight within the week,” Bernardino said in a phone interview Friday afternoon.
Two establishments were scheduled to be removed on Saturday.
The establishments that will face demolition include hotels, restaurants, bars, and kite surfing schools.
She said in October 2018, Aklan Mayor Ceciron Cawaling already issued the violators an ultimatum to self-demolish.
Last March 25, Aklan Mayor Abram Sualog also issued the same to the erring establishments.
“They were already given (a) demolition order. We just implemented the order,” Bernardino said. Last year, the rehab group already put markings on the structures that need to be removed.
The establishments have to be demolished because they obstruct the drainage system being built by the Department of Public Works and Highways, she added.
Business owners did not show any violent reaction to the demolition because they know they have to face the consequence since they refused to self-demolish, she said. (PNA)
