Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 18) — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Thursday said the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force has submitted to the Office of the President a proposal to extend its term for another year.
“This was presented in the task force today and we unanimously endorsed this proposal for the extension of the term of the task force for another year,” he said in a briefing
“Isinubmit na actually namin ito to the President,” he added.
[Translation: We already actually submitted this to the President.]
Cimatu noted that the extension will help in the smooth transition once the proposed Boracay Island Development Authority Bill (BIDA) is approved by Congress. The pending measure pushes for the creation of BIDA that will “promote and accelerate the sustainable development and balanced growth” of the island.
The task force headed by Cimatu was formed in 2018 through Executive Order No. 53 to lead the rehabilitation of the island after it was closed for six months. It was supposed to be dissolved after two years, but Executive Order no. 115 extended the task force’s validity to May 8, 2021 to allow the body to complete critical projects in Boracay pursuant to the Boracay Action Plan.
Meanwhile, Cimatu said the two-year target for the improvement of Boracay was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For one, they have not yet relocated informal settlers and workers to mainland Malay due to humanitarian consideration, he said.
“Pagkatapos ng (After the) pandemic, we will look for a place for them, then we will assist them in moving out,” he added.
There are also plans to partner with a private firm for the construction of a dormitory-type building for affected workers, Cimatu said.
On road works, the Department of Environment and Natural Rresources said it is currently 70% complete, while there are still pending works on demolition, solid waste, and sewage management.
