THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will undertake restoration work for the five wetlands in Boracay, which would involve the relocation of illegal settlers and removal of structures. In a statement on Tuesday, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the four remaining wetlands will remain a priority as these were also found to be a source of pollution to the island’s beaches. “We have to find a place for them (settlers) to be relocated. We will recover the wetlands because this is like the kidneys of the island,” Mr. Cimatu said. “But before we ask them to leave the wetlands, of course we have to find a relocation site for them. This is one of the things that we are going to do after the six-month closure.” The DENR is now looking for a relocation site. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
