Boracay inter-agency task force created

May 10, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has formed an interagency task force for Boracay, which has closed since April 26 and undergoing rehabilitation.

"There is a need to re-establish an enhanced inter-agency task force which will formulate, implement, and oversee policies, as well as strictly enforce national laws and local ordinances, to ensure the rehabilitation and ecological sustainability of Boracay Island," Executive Order No. 53, which Duterte signed on May 8, read.

The order shall take effect immediately.

The secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources chairs the task force, with the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government as vice chair, with the secretary of Department of Tourism as co-vice chair.

The members of the task force include the secretaries of justice, public works and highways, social welfare and development,  labor and employment, and trade and industry.

Also members are the chief operating officer of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, chief of the Philippine National Police, governor of Aklan, and mayor of Malay.

The task force shall be deemed dissolved after two years from the effectivity of the Order, unless extended by the president upon recommendation of the cabinet.

Upon the effectivity of the order, Duterte said a moratorium on the construction of new tourism and other business facilities and enterprises, including expansion of existing amenities or establishments, as well as suspension of issuance of building permits and other licenses shall be strictly enforced for six months. Celerina Monte/DMS