THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 6 office (DENR-6) yesterday started serving show cause orders to owners of 842 alleged illegal structures in Boracay Island. Jim O. Sampulna, DENR-6 regional executive director, said the order involves appearance in court. The structures include those that have encroached into areas that are considered forest lands and no-build zones. Mr. Sampulna said they will also be checking establishments and structures that have crossed the 30-meter limit from the shoreline. The DENR official said they will also be suggesting that policies be put in place to lessen the island’s population, such as requiring resort and hotel workers to live on the nearby mainland of Panay. Boracay is a 10.32-square kilometer island that, as of 2015, had about 350 lodging facilities, 33,000 residents, and an estimated two million tourists annually. — The Freeman

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