PGMA orders clean up of moss in Boracay
Authorities on Boracay Island will launch a clean up of moss (green algae) on the island-resort's waters which have caught the attention of President Macapagal-Arroyo.
Undersecretary Virtus Gil, secretary of the Boracay Eminent Persons Group and island administrator, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday that they will hire workers to put up nets 150 meters from the shoreline to block the moss from reaching the bathing area.
On Monday, the President said in an interview with a government-run radio and television network that she has issued instructions to clean the floating moss off the waters.
While she said that the presence of the moss is seasonal, this is not “tolerated” by some resorts.
The President said the clean up the moss could also help generate jobs.
Gil said they have decided to put up nets because the moss keeps on coming back carried by the water current.
Resort owners have said that the presence of the green algae is not a cause of alarm pointing out that it disappears by June.
But concerns have been raised on the quality of the waters because of the green algae.
A business group on the island has earlier also raised alarm over the erosion of part of the island's famous white beach.
In a letter to Environment Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza dated Feb. 25, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay, called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to help address the erosion especially along the Diniwid Beach, at the northern end of the 1,032-hectare island-resort.
The erosion has reached several meters, according to the letter signed by PCCI-Boracay Vice President Peter Brugger.
“Whole areas of northern Diniwid beach are not accessible anymore, particularly at high tide when the water is two meters deep due to the abrupt drop of the beach...” said Brugger in the letter.
Brugger said some establishments have started building walls using sandbags and brought in boulders to stop the erosion.
“This move could alter Diniwid beach forever and make erosion worse,” he said.
The group said the erosion has been aggravated by continued violations of building laws and ordinances.
It said many structures along the beach have been constructed on no-build zones or marine reserves, along set backs. Others have no building or mayor's permits to operate their business.
Erosion is among the major environmental concerns in Boracay identified by the DENR in its environmental master plan for the island.