By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) issued a statement yesterday urging President Rodrigo Duterte to postpone plans to close resort destination Boracay amid the ongoing pollution situation on the island.

GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said the closure would impact 17,735 workers, which would also affect their respective families.

He said the president’s plans would make the situation “irreparable.”

Sancho suggested Duterte punish establishments in violation of environmental laws.

Duterte previously warned he would close the popular beach destination if its environmental problems are not resolved within six months.

The Department of Tourism is currently pitching for the closure of the island from July to October, while a clean-up operation is conducted./DGB, WDJ