THE timely intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte in closing Boracay for rehabilitation is to be applauded given the political, and the moral will, to save the pristine beaches and bucolic lifestyle of the world-famous tourist (including domestic “go to place”) destination for sun and sand. Finally, an adult is in the room to have our laws enforced, particularly those meant to protect the environment. Lessons learned in Boracay’s hastened deterioration due to misguided business practices, and the greed of local officials should be cited as warning to all. For an ongoing concern to prosper e.g. tourism, trade, industry, urban expansion, etc. the operative word must be, “sustainable development”. We must be aware of the “absorb-tive” capacity of a certain place or locality. Meaning what is the comfortable and livable ratio between, land area vis-a-vis people, tourists, informal settlers to live in? Open spaces, roads and Infrastructure vs. vehicles ratio? Location and proximity of business establishments which must provide standard intervals for recommended spacing and travel? Central to all the aforementioned is the problem of trash, to include human waste, pollution levels in air and sea, and monitoring congestion per square kilometer, to include violations in environmental laws. Aside from the Department of Environment, the passage of land use and zoning is basic. The creation of the Presidential Office on Sustainable Urban and Land Development is a necessity for oversight functions. To include monitoring increased levels of urban migrations, to include the phenomenon of “chain migrations” by families and clans into urban economic centers.
Sorry to say, local officials are part of the problem in what is the absence of any clear and stable urban planning. Boracay must be the template in what must be a continuing crusade to resuscitate decrepit and deteriorating tourist and urban environments. Baguio City is one tourist destination that must be subjected to presidential supervision given the actual optics and experience of residents and travelers to the “Summer Capital” as a mirroring of Boracay. Mactan, Cordova, Talisay Beaches in Cebu, Palawan as well. etc.
