With resort destination Boracay currently under scrutiny after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to shut down the island if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) did not get a handle of the ongoing pollution problem within six months, Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) director, Atty. Helen Catalbas, said her department would be suspending their accreditation program temporarily.

“DOT-6 is suspending its accreditation campaign while cleansing efforts by the environment task force, led by DENR, are ongoing,” she explained.

Earlier this week, the Malay municipal government, which has jurisdiction over the island, presented their six month clean-up plan, which includes a moratorium on new structures for Boracay.

Following the president’s announcement, the DOT offered their support for the effort with DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo issuing a statement backing Duterte’s position, saying, “The massive clean-up of Boracay is a bitter pill that we have to swallow if we were to collectively save and sustain Boracay.”

The DOT, DENR, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have since held meetings to discuss the ongoing situation./PLL, WDJ