Many insist Boracay is an unbeatable attraction, firstly, because it has been tagged as the “biggest swimming pool in the world.” Next to that is the powdery sand, which has a polovoron-like texture, which is prevalent both on shore and under the water.
Buy a polvoron and that is how pristine the sand is at Boracay.
My own experience goes many years back. I recall staying at the Pink Patio for a night and I have since come to know people like Harry and Bevelyn Fernan, and their son, King, who operates convenience stores and drugstores across the island. There is also Desiree Segovia, an environmental advocate now with the Coast Guard.
Most who travel back and forth to “Bora” would say they go there for the nightlife; one they say cannot be found anywhere else. While other destinations may have good facilities – and maybe pristine beaches as well – there is no way they can beat the nightlife of Boracay.
Today, President Rodrigo Duterte is upset the island is facing negligent local government officials and environmental agencies that tolerate improper waste disposal. Local provincial officials are hurling stones at various agencies, which are, in fact, to blame since they are the ones who issued environmental permits, business licenses, health permits, building and occupancy permits, and other licenses permitting establishments to operate.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu should also be hurling stones at agency officials and employees who allowed businesses to operate despite such violations. Their tolerance of these erring establishments is the cause for the current sad state of Boracay.
Local government officials and environmental officers should have more than their necks wrung out by Digong.
In terms of tourism infrastructure, the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) is merely the financier and the approving agency for projects. The real nitty-gritty of construction is up to local officials and the DENR, along with its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
Do not blame TIEZA and the Department of Tourism.
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Cheers to the organizers and stakeholders of the Bacolaodiat Festival, including of Jennifer Gochango-Ong, Diotay Lopue, William Ong, Ben Barcelona, and supporters of the event.
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Now that the busy days are done for the meantime, city motorists are expecting traffic authorities to improve, plan, and enhance implementing discipline on the roads. However, trisikads are still operating along main roads and traffic enforcers do not seem to care at all.
Kudos to City Councilor Dindo Ramos for sponsoring ordinances intended to enhance the regulatory acts of the traffic enforcers.
But, is Dindo satisfied with the results of his ordinances, which are supposed to be enforced by the executive branch of government, through its traffic authority office? Does it hurt people if laws are enforced? That is something that needs to be asked by the city councilor, since he chairs transportation and traffic in the City Council.
Nothing much has been heard from the traffic official-dom, is there a moratorium?
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This column greets Monju Guanzon, Vic Tan, Christopher Pastrana, Raymund Gatuslao, Dodong Bascon, Raymund Quinto, Paolo Araneta, Danny Dangcalan, Renato Novero, Maui Sorongon, Eli Gatanela, and Toto Tarrosa./WDJ