{"id":161361,"date":"2018-04-24T07:57:37","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T11:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=161361"},"modified":"2018-04-24T07:57:37","modified_gmt":"2018-04-24T11:57:37","slug":"absence-of-written-boracay-closure-not-a-major-concern-malacanang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2018\/04\/24\/absence-of-written-boracay-closure-not-a-major-concern-malacanang\/","title":{"rendered":"Absence of written Boracay closure not a major concern \u2014 Malaca\u00f1ang"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"FILE:<\/a>
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)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, April 24, Roque said, \u201cWell, wala pa. Pero <\/em>(none yet. But), come on, it\u2019s just a matter of the President signing it. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roque added that people have already been informed that Boracay would be closed as President Rodrigo Duterte had announced it earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people have been told, they know that there will be a closure; there will be a declaration of state natural calamity. It\u2019s just a matter of the President signing the documents, and it can be signed any time now,\u201d the spokesperson stressed.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

However, Roque said that this should not be a cause for concern because the funds are available anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalang problema po doon<\/em> (There is no problem there) because the funds are there. So you just need the proclamation para magamit nga <\/em>(so it can be used).<\/em> So as soon as it is signed, you can use the funds,\u201d the Palace official explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe President made sure na bago isasara iyan, lalung-lalo na iyong pantawid sa mga nagtatrabaho sa<\/em> Boracay, ay naririyan <\/em>(that before its closure, especially the funds which will be used to assist Boracay workers, are there),\u201d<\/em> he continued.<\/p>\n

The world-famous tourist destination will be closed on April 26, Thursday, following the President\u2019s directive.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Calling Boracay a \u201ccesspool\u201d in February, Duterte threatened to shut down the popular tourist destination if the island’s environmental issues will not be addressed in six months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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