PTA hits back at critics of controversial seal
The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) has struck back at critics of the controversial markings on a drainage system and other projects on Boracay Island, accusing them of diverting attention from the "real" issues on the island.
In a statement, the PTA's Boracay Environmental and Infrastructure Project (BEIP) office, also accused resort owners and some residents of violating sanitary and environmental regulations.
"Commercial establishments and some uncooperative residents have been diverting the public's attention from the real matters at hand to avoid accountability for their non-compliance and violations to the requirements and guidelines of a clean and green Boracay," said lawyer Agnes Bocar, BEIP project manager, in the statement.
She also cited cases of illegal water connections and the wanton cutting of trees to give way to businesses.
"Everybody knows what to do but isn't doing it. What's worse is (they're) blaming everybody else except themselves," said Bocar.
BEIP engineer Mimi del Rosario said in the statement that "so many people are trying to complicate the situation when the issues in Boracay are simple and straightforward."
The PTA said that since 2003, they have been providing most of the the infrastructure and facility needs of the island including the water and sewerage systems, the concreting of the road network and the ongoing drainage system project.
Some resort owners and residents earlier criticized Barbers for having his name engraved along with the PTA seal on the sidewalks of Boracay's main road to mark the P140-million drainage system project. The marking is placed every 25 meters along a two-kilometer stretch from Barangays Balabag to Manoc-Manoc.
Those who criticized the markings said it was improper for a government official to place his name on a project funded by public funds.
Barbers' name has been replaced with the PTA website address in some but not all of the markings after news reports came out.
But Barbers has denied that he had his name removed from controversial markings. He said he finds nothing wrong his name on the seal.
A resort owner said that while the controversy over the markings is not as big as other problems of Boracay, "it is still a legitimate issue because it involves the use of public funds."