Boracay closure could be extended beyond six months
The enforced closure of Philippine island hotspot Boracay could drag on longer than a planned six months, says environment secretary Roy Cimatu.
Cimatu said the island may require longer to complete a rehabilitation after surveys uncovered dozens of illegal waste water pipes running underneath the beach.
A total of 43 illegal pipes were discovered.
"The unearthed pipes were also proof of violation of the 25 metres plus five metres no-build zone from the shoreline," Cimatu said, adding that violators could be hit with hefty fines.
The Tourism Congress of the Philippines is up in arms over the possibility of an extension, saying it will only increase hardship for tourism stakeholders and workers.
"We cannot accept this. Any closure for more than six months will be catastrophic not only for the stakeholders of Boracay but for its people. This was the very reason we were requesting for a detailed plan of the rehabilitation from the beginning," said Tourism Congress president Jose Clemente.
Clemente said the TCP may be forced to take legal action if the closure period is extended.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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