By Genalyn Kabiling
The government is determined to push through with the rehabilitation of two other popular beach destinations in the country even without an executive order from President Duterte.
"On the rehabilitation of Panglao Island in Bohol and El Nido in Palawan, the Cabinet agreed that there is no need to issue an Executive Order,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting convened by the President at the Palace last Tuesday. A government task force recently announced plans to conduct a massive clean-up drive and rehabilitation of El Nido, Palawan and Panglao Island, Bohol amid reports of environmental issues similar to Boracay. The task force, composed of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, however ruled out any Boracay-like closure of the two islands pending the rehabilitation. ""Walang total closure ," Año said in a media interview at the Palace Wednesday Puyat also affirmed there was "no closure but only rehabilitation” in Panglao and El Nido islands. "No need for EO because it's only rehabilitation. The mandates of the three agencies will suffice," she said in a message to reporters. Puyat said the President has also directed the task force to inspect other major tourist destinations that do not follow environment law. "We are also going to Coron and Siargao. I was the one who brought it up in the Cabinet and he said he was happy," she said. "He said all major tourist destinations should follow environmental laws," she added. The task force recently inspected El Nido, Palawan and discovered its problems on easement of shoreline, waste disposal and overcrowding. In April, the government shut down Boracay to tourists for six months to pave the way for massive rehabilitation, including upgrading its sewage system. The temporary closure was ordered by the President who claimed the island has become a cesspool. Boracay was eventually reopened to tourists with clear waters last October.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting convened by the President at the Palace last Tuesday. A government task force recently announced plans to conduct a massive clean-up drive and rehabilitation of El Nido, Palawan and Panglao Island, Bohol amid reports of environmental issues similar to Boracay. The task force, composed of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, however ruled out any Boracay-like closure of the two islands pending the rehabilitation. ""Walang total closure ," Año said in a media interview at the Palace Wednesday Puyat also affirmed there was "no closure but only rehabilitation” in Panglao and El Nido islands. "No need for EO because it's only rehabilitation. The mandates of the three agencies will suffice," she said in a message to reporters. Puyat said the President has also directed the task force to inspect other major tourist destinations that do not follow environment law. "We are also going to Coron and Siargao. I was the one who brought it up in the Cabinet and he said he was happy," she said. "He said all major tourist destinations should follow environmental laws," she added. The task force recently inspected El Nido, Palawan and discovered its problems on easement of shoreline, waste disposal and overcrowding. In April, the government shut down Boracay to tourists for six months to pave the way for massive rehabilitation, including upgrading its sewage system. The temporary closure was ordered by the President who claimed the island has become a cesspool. Boracay was eventually reopened to tourists with clear waters last October.