craig aquino,
Boracay: a small island which receives a lot of praise and positive reviews from vacationers, tourists, and reviewers; home of fine white sand, pristine waters, and a vibrant and active nightlife. What’s not to love?
More than a million people visit the island every year. They can stay in the resorts, sunbathe on the shore, swim in the ocean, or participate in the many activities available to visitors. It’s a great place for tourists, vacationers, and those just wanting to relax.
The benefit is not only for visitors though. A lot of livelihoods of the people in Boracay depend on tourism.
However, the pristine beauty of Boracay is at risk. Because of the booming tourism industry, Boracay is slowly being destroyed. Many establishments on the island seeking to capitalise on the tourism scene violate environmental policies implemented by the government. One such violation is the dumping of untreated wastewater into the sea.
Because of this, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an order to close Boracay Island for six months, effective April 26. During this period, the government will clean up the island and deal with non-compliant establishments.
The president has also stated that he has plans to initiate a land reform program for the farmers in Boracay. He rejected a former plan to build a $500-million casino complex in favor of this. He said that he intends to ‘give back the lands to the Filipinos.’
This closure and what it entails will hopefully be beneficial to Boracay. Closing the island to the tourists will reduce the number of people enough for the government to be able to clean up the island, and make sure that establishments are compliant with standards — and punished if they are not. It would also provide the government time to think of new policies and plans for implementation that will help protect the environment and the island.
However, the government should still take into account that many employees and workers of the island would lose their main source of income. Since a lot of livelihoods in Boracay depend on tourism, closing down the island would mean a cessation, or at least stifling, of the flow of income.
The government should find a way to allow people to continue living their lives, such as providing them with temporary jobs. Those who will lose income because of the closure could help in the restoration and clean-up of the island, and get paid by the government by doing so. A basic income guarantee could also work.
Fortunately, the president also announced that 2-billion pesos will be allocated to the people who will be affected by the closure of the island.
It is imperative that Boracay is cleaned up. Not only because its beauty attracts tourists from which the economy can benefit, but also because the natural resources of our country should be preserved.
This solution will hopefully help accomplish that goal, while not stepping on the innocent dependents of the island.//by Craig Aquino and Cyrille Villanueva
Opinion: Boracay, Bye-Bye (For Six Months)
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| Photo Credit: Gail Clemente |
Boracay: a small island which receives a lot of praise and positive reviews from vacationers, tourists, and reviewers; home of fine white sand, pristine waters, and a vibrant and active nightlife. What’s not to love?
More than a million people visit the island every year. They can stay in the resorts, sunbathe on the shore, swim in the ocean, or participate in the many activities available to visitors. It’s a great place for tourists, vacationers, and those just wanting to relax.
The benefit is not only for visitors though. A lot of livelihoods of the people in Boracay depend on tourism.
However, the pristine beauty of Boracay is at risk. Because of the booming tourism industry, Boracay is slowly being destroyed. Many establishments on the island seeking to capitalise on the tourism scene violate environmental policies implemented by the government. One such violation is the dumping of untreated wastewater into the sea.
Because of this, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an order to close Boracay Island for six months, effective April 26. During this period, the government will clean up the island and deal with non-compliant establishments.
The president has also stated that he has plans to initiate a land reform program for the farmers in Boracay. He rejected a former plan to build a $500-million casino complex in favor of this. He said that he intends to ‘give back the lands to the Filipinos.’
This closure and what it entails will hopefully be beneficial to Boracay. Closing the island to the tourists will reduce the number of people enough for the government to be able to clean up the island, and make sure that establishments are compliant with standards — and punished if they are not. It would also provide the government time to think of new policies and plans for implementation that will help protect the environment and the island.
However, the government should still take into account that many employees and workers of the island would lose their main source of income. Since a lot of livelihoods in Boracay depend on tourism, closing down the island would mean a cessation, or at least stifling, of the flow of income.
The government should find a way to allow people to continue living their lives, such as providing them with temporary jobs. Those who will lose income because of the closure could help in the restoration and clean-up of the island, and get paid by the government by doing so. A basic income guarantee could also work.
Fortunately, the president also announced that 2-billion pesos will be allocated to the people who will be affected by the closure of the island.
It is imperative that Boracay is cleaned up. Not only because its beauty attracts tourists from which the economy can benefit, but also because the natural resources of our country should be preserved.
This solution will hopefully help accomplish that goal, while not stepping on the innocent dependents of the island.//by Craig Aquino and Cyrille Villanueva
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