JUST got back from Boracay where my Asian Institute of Management (AIM) class that graduated in 1973 got together for its 35th anniversary reunion. The reunion included some overseas members of our class and spouses of many of the members. While my classmates were enjoying the white beach and sparkling water, not to mention the many amenities our hotel had to offer, I spent some time observing the pace of development in the island and what this would portend in terms of the pristine nature of the place.
Before leaving, I got in touch with a classmate from my La Salle days, Charlie Uy, owner of Patio Pacific resort in Boracay (winner of many awards, based on the citations I saw in the main office) to get a feel of the latest on the island. Charlie has another persona as president of the local Boracay Chamber of Commerce — affiliated with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. — and who has a genuine affection and caring attitude for the proper development of the island.
He cited a private sector-led effort to put up a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) with a CIDA grant of P2M and a counterpart P2M that local businessmen put up. The MRF is an initial stab at getting rid of the stinking garbage problem of the island, but it must be augmented somehow. On the other hand, the government has managed to throw over P200M into a drainage project that seems to be going nowhere. In fact, it rained briefly in the morning on the second day of our stay there and the roads and byways promptly got flooded. The small airport facility is a joke, and if it were not for the anticipation of the island’s beaches or thankfulness for having been able to enjoy oneself, is a mini-nightmare especially to departing passengers. Surely, some bright government functionary whose agency is tasked with development of tourism infrastructure should get off his sorry ass and do something about this, because the private sector can’t carry the burden for this project! I know which GOCC is concerned because I headed it once when President Cory came into office. Stop sitting on that cash hoard please and do something for a shining jewel that has contributed much to both foreign and domestic tourism!
Finally, the local municipal council heeded the admonitions it has been getting from the natural resources department and has imposed a moratorium on new construction. Really, there must be an effort to make sure that the island does not become overdeveloped given its fragile ecosystem and lack of resources such as water and electricity. Not to mention a larger waste disposal facility for human and wet waste for the entire island, other than that private sector-led effort by the local Chamber of Commerce with its MRF.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hi Sir,
I personally experienced all the things that you said in your write ups last week when our class conducted environmental fieldtrip trip there. Even though its my first time to experience the beauty of one of the jewel of our country I can say boracay island is over populated or can I use the word over-developed? For me its so tiring to see the previous virgin island on its polluted state. Im sad for the reality of the present situation of the island.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
boracay has become a place of worldly decadence. infrastructure has obscured the mystic of nature.
a good time to go to bora is actually during the rainy season and hope it doesn’t rain. man, you would really appreciate the beauty of the beach.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
The comments are almost all unanimous that somehow, our beloved Boracay has become so over-developed with very little supporting infrastructure that it may well go the other way. Pity. I was not around long enough, but I had requested the man in charge under me to work closely with the stakeholders and try to impress on the need to maintain quality standards and not to overdevelop. After I left govt the ff year, I found that big resorts had began to come in but that basic services still were found wanting. The comments from those who read this blog are mostly valid. In fact, a dirty little secret has to do with the comment on the sewage system. Some people say that not all establishments are connected to it. So where do they flush their effluents I wonder?
Boracay has so much promise but it may sink under its own weight. Which is why I know that many more astute investors have put their hard earned money in nearby Carabao island. Hope they don’t do to that island what was done to once pristine Boracay
January 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Excuse my English on the previous I was typing in a hurry ad did not check it.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:40 am
Yes, well said. I lived on Boracay for 5 years. The tragic reality of the island is there no real sense of team in the local community the locasl are fighting over land allocations, the foriegners are fighting over business share. The local government are fighting to bring in more revenue. As a result no one is focused on fixing the island, everyone is fighting their corner. Anyone who would argue this point may as well save there breath. Yes the rubbish has had a solution applied and yes we did finally get a road HURRAH!
Everything else is simply too late and now very complex, too many tricycles, too many buildings, too many vehicles, we actually have cars on Boracay! which is totally rediculous and should never have been allowed. There is a sewerage system which is was not sufficient years ago that was before the major resorts landed like Discovery shores and Shangrila. By the way don’t these multi million dollar resorts do there research before they set up. There is not enough resource to support you! Guys how much did it cost you to NOT find this out? The island is suffering from water and electricity shortages, certain parts of the island get there water shut off on a rota and people who live in highr parts of the island really suffer as the water pressure can’t push the water up there. I could go on the list is endless. Accountability and incompetence are questions here, but as usual these are words of theory never reaching application. I have heard government masterplans I have sat in meetings and presentations and others before me. All authorities are aware of ALL issues with no stone unturned but nothing is ever done.
I am particularly passionate about the hospital or lack of one so I will have my rant now. Remember this is the Jewel in the Crown of the Philippines, with very high tourist numbers and large revenues and taxes. So Tourists equal revenue and large numbers of tourists doing action sports is a very serious responsibility of the local government. 5 years ago I went into the local hospital and I was appauled at the facilities. Mosquito and cockroach infested rooms, minimal equipment much of which does not work or no one knows how to use it. In 5 years there has been no improvement at all. How can this be allowed to continue? How do the wealthy local businesses allow this to happen. In fact everyone on the island has a responsibility to every tourist that lands on the island. These tourists feed and clothe families and children, they pay for lifestyles and infrastructure. It is an insult to the tourist that this is the best we can do for their safety and welfare.
There used to be a donation box which tourists used to put money in, until it was stolen. Once again those who help others are at the bottom of the pile being abused.
The doctors and nurses do their best with the little they get in funding. They are very busy with local bronchial and digestive problem from poor living conditions and get there share of Emergency injuries and critical situations to deal with. There is an increase of none English speaking tourists recently to add to the diagnosis problem. This should be a fully furnished hospital with speacialised equipment and resources. The tourists pay for it every day however like most other things the money never gets there.
Who is respnsible? Forget tax allocation from Manila. Local government should get donations from every business on Boracay annually and ALL yes ALL the money should develop and maintain the hospital as a Boracay independent project.
Anyone of any influence on Boracay who is not bound up in there own little Boracay world should do something about this and you all know it.
Just because you can afford to fly to Manila if you get injured does not mean tourists can. Two kiteboarders collided recently and both had broken legs. One had money and a helicopter was sent. The wrong type of helicopter arrived one you could only sit in and not lie down. In the end this tourist had to cross to caticlan then get a van to Kalibo to get a plane to manila with a shattered leg. The other one from Russia I think had no money and I do not know what happened to him.
It simply is not good enough and it makes you ashamed to be part of the Boracay mis-instution.