In case she is elected president, Vice President Leni Robredo said she will not sign into law the bill creating the Boracay Island Development Authority or BIDA Bill if it comes up for approval during her watch.
Robredo expressed her opposition to the controversial bill, which has been gaining support in the House of Representatives, during the Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Candidates Forum on Friday, Feb. 4.
"Hindi ko pipirmahan (I will not sign it)," the Vice President said in the townhall segment of the forum.
She explained that her opposition is due to the possibility that the communities and stakeholders, including the local government units (LGUs) in the world-renowned island will lose their voices in issues concerning the management of the Boracay Island.
"While agree ako na mahalaga na maayos ang Boracay through a tourism authority, ang hindi ako dito agree na nawawalan ng boses ang stakeholders, nawalan ng boses yung LGU (While I agree that it is important to rehabilitate Boracay through a tourism authority, I do not agree with the stakeholders and LGUs losing their voices)," Robredo said.
"Kung aayusin 'yan, gawin lahat ng paraan para ayusin pero hindi pwedeng alisin yung boses nung mga maapektuhan (If it needed fix, then do every thing to fix it but the voices of those who will be affected must not be taken away)," Robredo added.
The BIDA bill, which is co-authored by Davao Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte—son of President Duterte — with Rep. Eric Go Yap (ACT-CIS), and another Davaoeño, Sandro L. Gonzalez (Marino), aims to create a government-owned and -controlled corporation to manage, develop, operate, preserve, and rehabilitate the Boracay Island and surrounding islets.
It was approved by the House of Representatives on second reading in August 2021.
It is, however, a contested measure as local officials and various groups have been opposing the measure due to its expected effects on small business operators and island residents.