DOT releases P3.6M for Boracay environmental, health projects
BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN―The Department of Tourism (DOT) has poured in P3.6 million in funding for environmental and health projects on Boracay Island.
Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano on Wednesday turned-over checks to two civic organizations on the island for a campaign against dengue fever and for the island's residual waste management program.
Durano said with the fragile environment situation of the island, focus should be on the prevention of environmental and health problems.
He said that these concerns are not only the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health.
"The DOT is biggest stakeholder of the island," said Durano during a ceremony and signing of the memorandum of agreement with Boracay Chamber of Commerce Inc. and the Rotary Club of Boracay.
Durano turned-over a check amounting to P1.85 million to the BCCI for the residual waste management program.
The fund will be used to purchase equipment to turn residual waste coming from the material recovery facilities of the three villages on the island to by-products like hollow blocks and paper blocks.
It will also be used to train the workers in this facility, for monitoring and a massive information campaign for residents and tourists.
BCCI President Charles Uy said with this program, they would be closer to achieve their "zero waste" aim for the island. At present, residual waste are transported to Caticlan on the mainland to a temporary dumpsite.
He said the project will also provide more livelihood for Boracay residents while protecting the environment.
Durano also turned-over a check worth P1.75 million to the Rotary Club of Boracay for a year-long campaign against dengue fever. The project was launched after a rise in dengue cases in Aklan during the rainy months last year.
Dr. Ma, Christina Teotico, the club's president said that while dengue cannot be totally stopped, it can be controlled with an education campaign focusing on prevention of the disease.
The program will involve the training of personnel that will monitor the cases and preventive measures, house-to-house information campaign and purchase of mosquito catchers and spraying of non-hazardous biological treatment.
Environmental and health concerns have been given priority by government agencies corresponding to the continued upswing of tourist arrivals on the island.
Last year, 596,707 tourists went to Boracay (208,870 foreign and 359,433 domestic) and poured in P10.969 billion to the economy.
In January this year, amid calls for tighter control on development projects in Boracay, President Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 706 mandating the Tourism Secretary to exercise administrative control over the island through the Philippine Tourism Authority.