Duterte’s order in Boracay also applies to other tourist destinations in Philippines, Palace says

March 7, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte's order to clean up Boracay Island in Aklan province and ensure all environmental laws are being followed applies to other tourist destinations in the Philippines, Malacanang said on Wednesday.

"The president was very clear. While his statement was for Boracay, that is applicable to all the tourist destinations in the whole Philippines," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a press briefing in Palawan.

Duterte has ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano to resolve the problem in Boracay whom he described as a "cesspool" within six months.

He also warned charges could be filed against local officials for possible dereliction of duty.

Roque, echoing Duterte, said Boracay waters would not be filthy if the local government officials were not negligent.

This was the reason, he said why Duterte has ordered Ano to file criminal and administrative charges against negligent local officials in implementing the environmental laws.

"So his order that the local government units should be held accountable because of their failure to protect the environment is equally applicable to all other island destinations including El Nido," he said referring to a famous tourist destination in Palawan.

He said those illegal structures should also be immediately dismantled, similar to what is happening in Boracay.

Duterte has said he would declare a state of calamity in Boracay so financial help could be extended to those who would be displaced if the government would decide to close the island from the tourists. Celerina Monte/DMS