Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) — There are still 90 residential and commercial establishments who are not complying with Boracay’s 25 plus 5 meter easement rule or no-build zone, Boracay task force officials said on Wednesday.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who is also task force chair, reported that 249 out of 339 initial erring structures have already obeyed the order, making the compliance rate 73% as of November. Task force general manager Natividad Bernardino confirmed there are still 90 violators.
The manager said the remaining establishments who have yet to follow are mostly residential homes in Barangay Manocmanoc. Only 20 of the violators are commercial buildings, she added.
But following the no-build zone may not be that simple, Cimatu acknowledged, as residents have been reportedly appealing to the task force to defer demolition of violating homes and structures. He pointed out that not everyone is able to move out of their property easily and immediately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The secretary said the task force will discuss in their next meeting how to balance these concerns with their goal of rehabilitating the island.
“While we understand their situation, we will have to balance enforcement at the same time also the way we have to treat these people kasi wala naman silang sigurong pupuntahan muna [because they may not have another place to move to],” Cimatu told reporters in a briefing. “Hopefully, we can come up with a decision tonight.”
The same appeals have been reportedly raised for structures built on protected forest lands which goes against the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines. On Nov. 25, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested nine violators on the island’s Mt. Luho, for breaching environment laws.
