NANCY ASKS PALACE TO APPOINT BORACAY CZAR
...supports the creation of Boracay Development Authority

Senator Nancy Binay asked Malacanang to appoint a person directly in charge of the Boracay rehabilitation after a Senate hearing revealed that misunderstandings between government agencies are causing delays on the rehabilitation projects on the island.

"Sino yung on top of everything? We have Sec. Cimatu who is in charge of Task Force Boracay pero inter-agency council lang ito. Sino ba ang may final say sa mga bagay-bagay?" the senator asked.

According to Binay, Boracay residents are confused as to who is in charge on the ground. The local government of Malay still continues to function but the locals are clueless which of the national agencies stationed in the island is heading the current setup.

"We need a person who has the final say at magdedesisyon kapag nagkaroon na ng aberya lalo na't may mga issue pala sa pagitan ng ahensiya mismo ng pamahalaan," she added.

During the hearing, it was revealed that both the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) are claiming to have regulatory powers over water concessionaires in the area. This resulted in the confusion and the subsequent delay of the division of the island between water utilities.

Binay said she supports calls to create a centralized agency to consolidate authority and oversee Boracay rehablitation projects.

"There is a proposal to create a Boracay Development Authority that will be tasked to regulate all developments in the island and protect its environmental integrity. We can use the existing inter-agency task force to kickstart the initiative and perhaps adopt the Intramuros template in creating this agency. However, it is also important that we give it the necessary administrative powers to exercise its mandate," she noted.

The senator said she would push for a land-use management framework tailored-fit to the innovative management techniques necessary for governing Boracay as a protected landscape.

Meanwhile, Binay also asked the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to fast track the completion of its medium-term development and physical framework plan to rehabilitate Boracay Island.

"We hope NEDA would be able to come up with a plan even before October so we can assess and see how its comprehensive development plan would integrate physical, environmental, social, economic and institutional plans of government agencies in charge of Boracay rehab," she said.

Binay likewise urged the government agencies tasked in the island's rehabilitation to involve local stakeholders, NGOs and Indigenous Peoples in the critical stages of planning.

"For the Boracay development plan to be smoothly implemented, kailangan gawin itong isang kolektibong kontribusyon ng lahat ng sektor. In the context of a multi-sectoral and participatory framework, we are assured that all stakeholders will affirm their commitment to protect Boracay," she pointed out.