THE BORACAY Foundation Inc. (BFI) — composed of the island’s business establishments, residents, and other stakeholders — “congratulated” the 25 hotels and resorts given the green light to operate by the Oct. 26 reopening to tourists, but questioned the government’s basis for approval.
Based on the list released by the Department of Tourism (DoT) on Aug. 31, these accommodations have supposedly complied with the permits and clearances of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
However, “some of those on the list, by their own admission, still have no completed Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), while some are merely connected to the sewer lines even if they have more than fifty rooms,” BFI said in a statement released on Sept. 7.
“What really is the basis to be deemed compliant?” they asked.
The group also said the one-stop shop set up to process requirements, which is scheduled to close by Sept. 15, has been unable to cope with applicants.
COMMUNICATION
The group also slammed the government agencies for the “continued apparent apathetic treatment of stakeholders.”
It said, “Instead of consulting those who have local knowledge and experience — the residents and local business who are most affected — The agencies in charge have been issuing statements across several media outlets, without releasing official communication to island stakeholders. It is as if our opinion does not matter.” — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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