DENR requires Boracay developer to protect 'flying foxes'
Amador
An investigation team headed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador required the developer of Shangri-La Resort in Barangay Yapac, Boracay Island to submit a Development Program addressing flying foxes and other wildlife found in the area, after a technical conference held recently.
The investigation was conducted in order to personally verify the allegations of the residents of Barangay Yapak on the destruction of the habitat of flying foxes by the Boracay Property Holdings, Incorporated within their 80-hectare area declared as Special Economic Zone last 2004.
Mr. Bong Tirol, Executive Officer of the Shangri-La Resort briefed the team that they are developing a 200-villa type rooms within a 10-hectare area bought by the Ayala's, owner of the Shangri-La resort, out of the 80-hectare property of Boracay Property Holdings, Incorporated (BPHI) called as ECO-Village. They are leaving 50% of the area as an open space in compliance with the Environmental Code of Boracay requiring all resort owners to provide at least 40% of their area as an open space. According to Tirol, their original plan of constructing 7 more tree houses adjacent to the identified roosting place of the flying foxes had been scrapped to serve as an additional buffer zone. However, Amador reminded him that even an ECC (Environmental Clearance Certificate) had already been issued to them, any changes in the development plan submitted without an acknowledgment from concerned offices is still considered a violation of the ECC.
After the meeting with Tirol, the investigating team composed of Amador, OIC Regional Technical Director for PAWCZMS Arlene T. Dalawis, PENRO Aklan Baltazar Gerardo and other officials had inspected the area. They found out that the developer had already constructed a road network passing through a forested area going to the site where area development is now ongoing. This even before they had secured the necessary cutting permit of the trees affected by the ongoing construction from the DENR field office in Aklan.
"This is a clear violation of the forestry laws," says Amador.
In the afternoon, a technical conference was immediately conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau presided by Engr. Yvonne Faldas and also attended by a representative from the Friends of Flying Foxes, an NGO who is conducting a study about flying foxes and bats in the island. The NGO representative informed that out of the 240 wildlife species observed in the area in the early 80's, there were only about 100 to 125 left in 2005 or a 50% decline in the population. According to Ferit Temur a representative of BIOCON (Biological Conservation Group}, Flying Fruit Bats or Kabog in Boracay are seed dispersers that contribute to the regeneration of the island's forest. He added that as an observation of the bats' behavior, during "habagat" where strong winds come from the East, bats moved to the other side of the island.
During the conference, Shangri-La agreed to submit the program addressing the issue on the protection of flying foxes on January 26, 2006. Shangri-La asked for an extension for their submission of a comprehensive development program on the protection and conservation of flying foxes and other wildlife species found in the area on February 26, 2006. This was considered but they were required to sign a commitment letter to insure of their compliance to submit the documents on time.
Shangri-La Resort will incorporate in their development program the study of the FFF, BIOCON and other environment concerned groups and individuals on the behavior of these flying foxes. They will see to it that area development and construction will not threaten the habitat of these flying foxes and assured that their massive construction will be timed where bats do not stay in their roosting places. They should immediately stop cutting of more trees pending issuance of their cutting permit. RED Amador had already directed PENRO Aklan to conduct investigation as to the number of trees affected by their road construction and area development.
Boracay is also a home to other bat species such as large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus).
DENR Operations Officer Forester Salvador Manglinong, Jr., Regional Planning Officer Forester Edna B. Locsin and PENRO Aklan field personnel also joined in the site inspection.