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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Demolition for Boracay's illegal settlers deferred

Demolition for Boracay's illegal settlers deferred

Published Dec 28, 2021 12:30 pm

ILOILO CITY — The national task force headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured there will be no demolition of illegal structures at world-famous Boracay Island until illegal settlers can transfer to relocation sites.

In a letter, the Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Task Force (BIATF) ordered Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay town, Aklan province to defer the scheduled demolition of illegal structures at three areas of ManocManoc village.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu (left) during a recent dialogue with members of the Natives of Boracay and Business Stakeholders Inc. (NABBSI) in Boracay Island. (Courtesy of NABBSI/Manila Bulletin)

BIATF General Manager Natividad Bernandino emphasized that agreements were made to defer the demolition after people’s organization Natives of Boracay and Business Stakeholders Inc. (NABBSI) had a dialogue with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu recently.

One of the key agreements is that the DENR still needs to coordinate with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to coordinate for potential lands within Boracay where the illegal settlers can relocate.

If the plan with DAR does not prosper, there is an option to look for potential relocation in mainland Malay town and coordinate with the National Housing Authority (NHA). But it has to be cleared if the Dumlog relocation site intended for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 can be used for the affected residents of Boracay.

But in the meantime, the local government of Malay is urged to waive all requirements for building and occupancy permits for service facilities including water and electricity for the temporary relocation sites. NABBSI noted this is particularly important as the threat of COVID-19 pandemic still exists.

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