By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Various labor groups in Negros Occidental called on other progressive groups to oppose the proposed 60-day closure of Boracay, amid the ongoing pollution problem plaguing the island.

General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said they forwarded a copy of a resolution, passed earlier this month, urging President Rodrigo Duterte not to push through with the proposal.

He said they agreed with the statement by Senator Cynthia Villar, where she said the closure of the island would be bad for both the business and labor sectors.

The said resolution was sent through the office of Jaime Llaguno, director of the Presidential Action Center.

Sancho also reiterated his earlier warnings about the proposal, saying it would do more harm than good and that the government should instead pursue those who are violating environmental laws.

“As far as the labor sector is concerned, the closure of Boracay is like ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs,’” Sancho added.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año proposed closing down the island for at least 60 days while a clean-up is conducted on the island./DGB, WDJ