Boracay classification stays — Palace

By Aurea Calica
Publication Date: [Thursday, September 28, 2006]

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=277339

Malacañang has no intention of taking back the proclamation classifying more than half of the world-famous island resort of Boracay in Aklan as a public agricultural land open for public auction, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita asserted yesterday.

Ermita stressed Proclamation 1064 would put things in order and even work to the advantage of residents and resort owners in Boracay.

"First of all, Proclamation No. 1064 is intended to really take care of the management of that jewel of property that we have, it’s already known around the world," he said.

"It (PP 1064) is intended really to benefit the general public so it’s not true and don’t even think it’s intended to favor a few," he said.

Ermita said those opposing PP 1064 were being too defensive and focused too much on acquiring ownership of the land.

He explained President Arroyo directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies to ensure that PP 1064 would be properly implemented.

"We should not destroy the real purpose of the proclamation," Ermita said.

"Maybe it’s just their (residents and resort owners) defense mechanism. They are trying to preempt the government. The DOT and the DENR have not even made any action yet," he said.

According to Ermita, the government would still have to rationalize many issues concerning Boracay.

He noted the adverse reaction of resort owners and some residents who were even helped by local officials in seeking the recall of PP 1064 before the Supreme Court.

Resort owners led by Orlando Sacay, chairman of Boracay Foundation Inc., had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the recall of PP 1064 which reclassifies 628 hectares, or 60.94 percent of the 1,032-hectare island resort, as "alienable and disposable."

They argued the proclamation had introduced an element of risk for land owners and the general business climate in Boracay.

"So I think they are just making those statements because they want to be left behind once the ball is passed, so to speak, in the improvement of Boracay," Ermita said.

Sacay claimed the government concealed another method of granting land titles to residents of Boracay, in its effort to unilaterally take over the world-renowned beach resort.