Duterte declares state of calamity in 3 barangays in Boracay

FILE: On the first day of Boracay closure, President Rodrigo Duterte officially declared a state of calamity in three villages in the world-famous White Beach on Thursday, April 26. (ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

On the first day of Boracay closure, President Rodrigo Duterte officially declared a state of calamity in three villages of the world-famous White Beach on Thursday, April 26.

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 475, declaring a state of calamity in the barangays of Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in Malay town.

It was the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that recommended this development “to ensure public safety and public health and to assist the government in its expeditious rehabilitation, as well as in addressing the evolving socio-economic needs of affected communities.”

The declaration was released a day after residents and workers in Boracay filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to halt such action.

According to Proclamation No. 475, the continuous rise of tourist arrivals, the insufficient sewer and waste management system, and environmental violations of establishments “aggravate the environmental degradation and destroy the ecological balance of the island of Boracay” that resulted to major damage of property and natural resources.

“It is necessary to implement urgent measure to address the abovementioned human-induced hazards, to protect and promote the health and well-being of its residents, workers, and tourists, and to rehabilitate the island in order to ensure the sustainability of the area and prevent further degradation of its rich ecosystem,” it stated.

The state of calamity, the proclamation said, shall remain in force and effect until lifted by Duterte, “notwithstanding the lapse of the six-month closure period.”

Apart from these, all departments, agencies, and offices—including state-run or controlled corporations and affected local government units (LGUs)—were ordered to implement and execute the closure and the appropriate rehabilitation works “in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives, including the Boracay Action Plan.”

“All tourists, residents and establishment owners in the area are also urged to act within the bounds of the law and to comply with the directives herein provided for the rehabilitation and restoration of the ecological balance of the island which will be for the benefit of all concerned,” it added.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Tuesday, April 24, downplayed the absence of a declaration of a state of calamity on the island, which is needed for purposes of fast-tracking procurement for the rehabilitation expected to take place during the six-month Boracay closure.

Even without any formal written order which will serve as a legal basis for the shutdown, Roque stressed that people have already been informed about it as the Chief Executive had announced it earlier.

The Palace has not yet issued an Executive Order (EO) on the closure of Boracay itself.