FROM THE INBOX
Overused, abused Bora!
The island of Boracay is known as a world class tourist spot in the Philippines! One of our country's prides! The summary of tourist arrival report of Malay municipal tourism shows that 510,232 local and foreign tourists visited the famous island from January to December 2006. It's quiet far to the 1 million tourist target of the government by year 2010.The Philippine government and Malay municipal government is aiming for that. I know it could be possible if we will focus now in protecting the island. How could we promote a flooded Boracay during the festivals?
I often brag about Boracay to my foreign friends here, giving them a picture of clean, white sand, half-virginal and half commercialized island. I tried to ignore what I've seen in the island when I spent my holiday there two years ago. New tall buildings, new shops, and new bars were constructed there during that time. I noticed white sand was turning to gray. In the case of men, when their hair turns to gray sooner or later some of them would be bald. Should we wait for the island to be bald? Should we wait for another flood, another disaster to happen before we act?
Recently, it was reported that Boracay became flooded. Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling blamed the flooding on continuous rains. Meanwhile Department of Environment and Natural Resources explained that the main cause of flooding is the covering of the wetlands and lagoons because of the unstoppable commercialization in the island. Thus, resulting to stagnating water. Different reasons but if we look closely to it, it only shows one thing, people are abusing the island. Tourism is a good business in our country, given the fact that the island is like a breathtaking picture of a paradise. With good tourism, the town is earning big profit every year. This island even made our country famous among the foreign beach lovers. But there's always a disadvantage to the country's growing tourism. People tend to forget environmental responsibility. Each one of us should be responsible enough to protect the things which are naturally given to us.
I agree with DENR Secretary Lito Atienza's warning, stop abusing the island.
Political leaders in Malay Aklan should act now. Overusing and abusing Boracay could result to a great loss of our country's tourism. We might enjoy the island's big gains at present but we might suffer in the future if we become too focused in the island's commercialization!