Absence of written Boracay closure not a major concern — Malacañang

FILE: Just two days before the closure of the famous White Beach, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. downplayed the absence of a declaration of a state of calamity over the island. (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Just two days before the closure of the famous White Beach, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. downplayed the absence of a declaration of a state of calamity on the island.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, April 24, Roque said, “Well, wala pa. Pero (none yet. But), come on, it’s just a matter of the President signing it. Okay?”

Roque added that people have already been informed that Boracay would be closed as President Rodrigo Duterte had announced it earlier.

“The people have been told, they know that there will be a closure; there will be a declaration of state natural calamity. It’s just a matter of the President signing the documents, and it can be signed any time now,” the spokesperson stressed.

The proclamation of state of calamity is needed for purposes of fast tracking procurement for the rehabilitation expected to take place during the six-month island closure.

The proclamation also allows the “programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair and safety upgrading of public infrastructure and facilities,” the Official Gazette stated.

However, Roque said that this should not be a cause for concern because the funds are available anyway.

“Walang problema po doon (There is no problem there) because the funds are there. So you just need the proclamation para magamit nga (so it can be used). So as soon as it is signed, you can use the funds,” the Palace official explained.

“The President made sure na bago isasara iyan, lalung-lalo na iyong pantawid sa mga nagtatrabaho sa Boracay, ay naririyan (that before its closure, especially the funds which will be used to assist Boracay workers, are there),” he continued.

The world-famous tourist destination will be closed on April 26, Thursday, following the President’s directive.

It was the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism that recommended the closure of Boracay from foreign and local tourists.

Calling Boracay a “cesspool” in February, Duterte threatened to shut down the popular tourist destination if the island’s environmental issues will not be addressed in six months.