Another good news: Government demolishes illegally constructed resort rumored to be co-owned by Manny Pacquiao.
Lawyers Harry Roque and Joel Butuyan, counsels of BFI, said “the ruling will protect the best beach on earth and the country’s tourism crown jewel.”
Known as the Boracay Marina Project, the reclamation was supposed to reclaim 40 hectares costing P1.3 billion in the areas adjacent to the jetty ports, Barangays Caticlan and Manoc-manoc in the Municipality of Malay.
The project includes the renovation and rehabilitation of the Caticlan Passenger terminal Building and Jetty port and “enhancement and recovery of the Caticlan coastline.”
The BFI opposed the project saying that there was no consultation with the people in Boracay and Caticlan and the most basic in such a major project: a thorough study on the effects of the reclamation on the environment.
An initial survey was conducted in November 2010 by the Marine Environmental Resources Foundation and the University of the Philippines Martine Science Institute. It was commissioned by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay.
The study is a bit too technical but here’s the summary which warns of adverse effect of the reclamation on the supply of sand which is the main attraction of Boracay:
“The flow in the channel between Boracay and Caticlan is dominated by the tides.
“Field measurements show an accumulation of the flow in the narrowest part of the channel. Upon exiting the channel, the accelerated flow in the channel continues as a “jet” leaving eddies and wakes on the leeward side of both (Boracay and Caticlan) headlands.
“The effects of reclamation were simulated by extending the Caticlan coastline 200m offshore decreasing the width of the channel at its narrowest part. Computer simulations of the flow showed that the narrower channel did not drastically change the spread of the currents although it showed a slight increase. The longest changes in velocity were observed in areas adjacent to the channel, which suggests that the flow does not squeeze through the narrower channel but is instead diverted. The diverted flow will result in increased in flow in some areas which may lead to higher sand transport such as off the southwest part of the Boracay Island.
“The shallower depths and gentler slopes on the Boracay side of the channel indicate higher potential for wave refraction. Increased refraction usually results in wave incident angles becoming more perpendicular to the coast and when waves approach at an angle perpendicular to the coast, alongshore sediment transport is weak.
“Hence alongshore sediment transport in the southern coast of Boracay is weaker and constrained by the presence of numerous headlands.
“On the Caticlan side, the coast is made up of a long continuous sandy beach with stronger alongshore sediment transport. Coastal structures which obstruct the wave field or littoral alongshore currents can lead to modified erosion/deposition patterns.”
It was recommended that” Reclamation along the Caticlan coast which would decrease the width of the channel, particularly at its narrowest part should be avoided as flow diversion may lead to a change in the flow patterns and speed away from the channel.
“To ensure a continuous supply of sand to the coast of Boracay Island, measures to protect and conserve habitats which contribute to the sand supply must be undertaken.”
Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said he will file a motion for reconsideration.
The problem with government officials is, they see Boracay as the goose that lays the golden egg. Instead of taking care of the goose, making it strong and healthy, they squeeze and squeeze it for the eggs.
Don’t they realize that if they continue to do that, time will come when the goose will just die?
It’s a good thing the Supreme Court came to the rescue.
This time around I take my hat offf to the SC. I can’t understand those government officials. Or hmm..maybe I do.
“……..The problem with government officials is, they see Boracay as the goose that lays the golden egg. Instead of taking care of the goose, making it strong and healthy, they squeeze and squeeze it for the eggs…..”
KASI nga sa bawat kahalintulad na project ay hindi nawawala ang LAGAY ba naman mawawalan sina gob ay meyor?
dapat sa mga ganyang opisyales na hindi marunong mag-isip KUNG paano pangangalagaan ang kapaligiran ay ibinabaon nang buhay o kaya ay ibinibitin nang patiwarik sa langgaman.
Pera lang ang habol ng provincial government sa project, hindi na kailangan i-reclaim at i-extend, most beautiful beach in the world na ito ngayon. Kung ituloy nila ang project tiyak maging Acapulco lang lang Boracay in the future, mga bangag na lang ang naglalakad at lumalangoy.
Ang ganda-ganda papapangitin.
Ganun na ba ang Acapulco ngayon, Chi?
Oo, Ellen. Kagagaling lang namin walang kakwenta-kwenta na, ang dumi-dumi. The bay area has been left to rot with closed businesses and ever-expanding graffiti. Siguro ang decline/decay dahil na rin sa corruption, drug violence, homicide and murder, security resons in general.
I was looking for the old Acapulco I used to see in old movies shown on tv but just saw decadence. Sana hindi mangyari yan sa Boracay.
We should learn from the mistakes of others. The natural attributes of Boracay – fine, white sand and calm waters – are superior than Acapulco.
I was there in 1995, when I covered the state visit of President Ramos to Mexico. Acapulco was included because of they had the re-tracing of the Galleon Trade.
I was not so impressed with the natural quality of the beach but commercial tourism was really well developed.
Drugs war affected too much Acapulco’s commercial tourism, Ellen. Wala na ring trabaho mga locals as a result. In 1995 when you were there, am sure the area was still the destination of local and foreign tourists and also spring breakers. So much has changed since then.
Walang binatbat ang Acapulco beach sa Boracay even I’m seeing Boracay’s shorelines only in pictures.
I was elated when Boracay was named most beautiful beach in the world recently. To support this accolade, a manager of Nido beach resort in Venice asked us last year why we go there while we have the Boracay beach in the Philippines that is extremely beautiful. He was also impressed with the white sands of Romblon. I’ve been to Romblon and agree with the guy, we have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Mahal kasi pasahe uwi sa Pinas at swimming sa Boracay, pagtyagaan ko muna sa medyo malapit at mura-mura, hehehe.
The Aklan government officials might as well give up the idea of the reclamation. If they don’t, they could face citizen power either through the votes or through street power. And I would be very surprised and disappointed if the Aklanons and the Boracaynons don’t show more teeth and snarls at their officials.
Anyway if the Aklanons don’t succeed in protecting their now world-renowned “treasure” island, we have many other islands just waiting to be named No.1.
Already there’s Palawan and Bohol..There are others just waiting to be discovered and promoted.
Nakakalungkot pala ang nangyayari jan sa Acapulco.
Noong unang bumisita ako jan sa Acapulco ay noong 1994. Mahirap na ang buhay noon sa mga locals. Ang requirements sa mga laborer katulad ng mga nagtatrabho sa restaurant ay seven days a week work schedule nila. Wala silang off days.
Mas grabe pala ngayon, wala na pala silang trabaho.
x-man, kasi naman ang decline ng commercial tourism sa Acapulco started as far back as the 1980’s. Unti-unti na-feel ng mga locals ang epek. Yung nakita mo at ni Ellen ay maganda-ganda pa, yung nakita ko pangit na talaga.
Kaya dapat alagaan ang Boracay, hindi dapat maging kampante ang mga authorities at namamalakad, tigilan na ang mga project na reclamation. Ang lapad at haba ng shores, ‘wag ng bastusin ang natural beauty.
Tama ka, maganda ang Acapulco noong panahon na yon. Hindi ko akalaing mangyari yan sa ACA (airport code ng Acapulco) dahil protektado yan ng mexican military at police pati na yong intelligence service nila kung baga e FBI ng Mexico (parang IDF ang tawag nila) dahil tourist spot nga yan. Mismong mga hotel management ang nagsasabi nyan noon na protektado yang tourist area.
Chi, maitanong nga kita sandali. Noong 1994 nag stay kami ng mga kaibigan ko sa Acapulco Princess, yong parang pyramid na hotel. Paglabas mo ng hotel pagdating mo sa kalye, sa bandang kaliwa ay may restaurant doon na ang pangalan ay California Restaurant at ang katabi noon ay maliit na shopping center at pagpasok mo doon ay may di kalakihan na fountain. Familiar ka ba doon? Ewan ko lang kung nandoon pa yon.
Napapunta ka ba doon sa dulo ng Acapulco beach? Nandoon yong mga locals na mangingisda at karamihan ng locals ay doon nag lalangoy noon. Tapos halos katabi noon ay maliit na bundok na may mga bahay sa gilid. Familiar ako sa lugar na yan noon dahil may naging kaibigan ako jan noon. Huling punta ko sa ACA ay December 1996.
ang pilipinas ay binubuo ng ilang libong isla at sa kalipunan ng mga islang ito ay isaisang nakikilala ang magagandang pasyalan at palipasan ng istres ng mga taong pagal ang katawan sa naghahabulan at mabilis na daloy ng buhay sa lungsod bunga ng mabilis na pagggapang ng makabagong kabihasnan.
kung hindi lamang sa katigasan ng ulo ng nakararami nating kababayan ay mas makakabubuting linangin at pag-ibayuhin ang pagsasaayos at pagpapaganda ng mga baybaying ito.
kung wala lamang sana ang mga bandidong NPA, Abu Sayyaf at MILF marahil ay makakaahon ang pilipinas sa kahirapan na ang magiging puhunan ay ang turismo sa mga kanayunang baybayin.
sayang, pagkaganid sa kapangyarihan at utak kriminal ang pinapairal ng mga nabanggit ng tulisan.
ang pinakamaririkit na baybaying hindi pa gaanong napapasyalan ng mga tao ay naroon sa sulu at tawi tawi.
tunay na napakagagandang mga lugar. malinis na tubig. malinis na dalampasigan. luntiang kaparangan. at higit sa lahat – napakatahimik (sanang) kapaligiran.
xman, yung bang Fairmont Princess Acapulco? Nandun pa pero yung mga naglalangoy mong locals na mangingisda ay onti na lang at ang beach ay marumi na. Ang sabi ng kaibigan namin na guide na rin ay takot na sila dahil sa drug violence. Ang cuidad ay maganda pa rin ang facade, ang malaking decay ay nasa bay area mismo na napuno na ng naglalakihang graffiti.
Mags, “ang pinakamaririkit na baybaying hindi pa gaanong napapasyalan ng mga tao ay naroon sa sulu at tawi tawi.”
Totoo ka, pero hindi na ako papasyal ule dun habang may abu at bandido. Nahalungkat ko ang pictures namin dun, balik alaala. Super-rikit na tunay ang ipinagmamalaki mong mga baybayin.
chi, ‘yan nga ang masaklap na sinasabi ko, eh. dahil sa mga bandidong ‘yan kaya hindi makalaya sa paghihikahos ang mga kawawang katutubo sa mga nabanggit na lugar.
habang buhay kong iiyakan ang walang patumanggang pagpapabaya ng gobyerno sa mga lugar na ‘yan. tuwirang kinakalimutan nila ang kapakanan ng matagal nang kinalimutang mamamayan sa kamindanawan.
ang maganda diyan sa parteng sulu ay ang klima. hindi talagang daanan ng bagyo. parang balanseng balanse ang panahon.
nakakawala ng pagod ang malinaw at malaperlas na tubig dagat at ang luntiang kaparangan at gubat.
ahhhh……nabili na pala ng Fairmont ang Acapulco Princess kaya idinikit na nila ang pangalan nila.
Yong kaibigan ko noon e señorita ko, mi amor, kaya madalas ako doon…heheheehe
Pumangit na nga ang tingin ko sa Acapulco mula pa noong 1996….lol
Anyway, thanks for the info, chi.
De nada, xman. Hanap ule ng senorita, baka sakaling gumandang muli kahit puro basura na. 🙂
Mags, mangarap na lang tayo at hinding-hindi mawawala dun ang mga abu at bandido in our lifetime.
Alam mo chi, matagal na akong may hinala na merong multinational conspiracy na nagaganap diyan sa Mindanao, kaya di mawala-wala ang rebelyong Muslim diyan.
Ang Malaysia, numero unong supporter ng MILF para mawalan ng boses ang gobyerno sa usapang Muslim lalo’t ang tema ay Borneo at Sabah. Armas, logistics, pati na siguro kalinga (o taguan) pag “mainit’ na ang mga MILF.
Ang America, upang malaya silang mag-rotate ng US Military personnel malayo sa mata ng mga Manilenyo at upang matukoy at matutukan ang Islamists na nakabase sa SE Asia na dito nagte-training sa Mindanao. Nakakapagtakang kaya namang timbugin ang mga teroristang Indonesians pero malayang nakakalabas-masok sa Mindanao.
Australia, gaya ng mga Kano, pumipigura na para magkaroon ng sariling Balikatan a la US sa Mindanao.
Yang tatlong bansang yan mas pipiliin sigurong may “kontroladong giyera” sa Mindanao para hindi masyadong bulgar ang mga gawain nila, sa mga turistang lokal lalo na sa mga taga-Maynila.
Bakit pinapayagan yan ng Gobyerno? Ano ba talaga pakinabang natin diyan?
Abu at MI pala, hindi lang MILF.
Tongue, kundi nga ba ay ano pa?
“…..Bakit pinapayagan yan ng Gobyerno? Ano ba talaga pakinabang natin diyan?” – Tongue.
tayo, walang pakinabang. pero ‘yang mga nakapuwesto sa gobyerno, sila ang walang tigil ang grasyang sinasahod.
kaya nga kapag hindi naputol (o pinutol) ang political patronage at pagtatalaga sa gabinete ng mga kaibigan, kabarilan, kaklase at mga kamag-anak (na nagiging antatsabol at mas masahol pa sa mismong namumuno) hindi kailanman malilinang ang tunay na pagkukunan ng paraan upang makaahon at maiahon ang mga pobreng dukha sa kahirapan at lalaong malabong makamit ang mga gasgas nang ipinangakong kasaganaan, katahimikan at higit sa lahat ay ang pagkakapantay na pagkakamit ng katarungan.
Another good development:
Government demolishes illegally constructed resort rumored to be co-owned by Manny Pacquiao.
Gov’t work crews demolish illegal structures in Boracay resort
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines—In what many believed was impossible on Boracay, government work crews on Thursday demolished structures at a posh resort that officials said were illegally constructed in violation of laws protecting the environment.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/231411/govt-work-crews-demolish-illegal-structures-in-boracay-resort
ABS_CBN video of West Cover demolition:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/07/20/12/west-cove-hotel-boracay-dismantled
ellen, dinemolis nga, inimbestigahan ba si pakyaw? kinasuhan kung napatunayang kanya nga iyan?
mga sinalibad sila.
matatalas la’ang ang kanilang mga itak kapag mga pobreng iskwater ang papalayasin sa kapirasong lupang akaya la’ang itnirikan ay upang meron namang pakinabang.
katulad ni pakyaw?
ewan!
MPR, Pacquiao denies being a co-owner.
The “official” owner, Crisostomo Aquino, nagwawala during the demolition. He said, kalakaran naman daw to operate without the required permits.
Pinaglandakan niya yung permit granted by DENR during Lito Atienza’s time.