Wednesday, April 16, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
Environment secretary threaten to charge Mayor Cawaling of Malay for dereliction of duty
By Ira Karen Apanay Senior Reporter
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the failure of Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay, Aklan province to stop construction activities on Boracay Island despite a moratorium order issued by the local government.
“The unabated construction of buildings in Boracay, whether it is a new construction project or mere expansion of old projects, is a clear proof of the failure of the local government to enforce its own resolution on moratorium,” Atienza said.
Because of this, Atienza is set to file charges of dereliction of duty or negligence against Cawaling for not implementing the moratorium, the DENR said.
“With the failure of Mayor Cawaling to stop construction activities, I have no recourse but to file the necessary charges,” Atienza said. He said he would raise the issue with Undersecretary Virtus Gil, chairman of the Boracay Task Force.
The DENR explained that every local government official has the responsibility to protect the environment within his jurisdiction.
Cawaling paid a courtesy call on Atienza in January to inform him of Resolution No. 042, which the Malay Sangguniang Bayan had issued, imposing a construction moratorium effective from January 2 to July 2, 2008.
Cawaling and Atienza further agreed during the meeting to include in the moratorium all ongoing construction activities that have been issued permits by the local government in the past until such time the Boracay Environment Master Plan which the DENR is drafting has been approved.
Atienza said Cawaling and members of the local council in Boracay promised to support the DENR’s environmental plan once it is put into motion. The plan puts in place a comprehensive strategy to keep excellent air and water quality, ample forest cover, solid waste management, and even containing the recurrent floods in the resort island.
Before the meeting, Atienza was set to file charges against Cawaling early this year. But after Cawaling presented to Atienza the Sangguniang resolution and made a pledge to stop construction activities on the island, the DENR chief decided not to pursue the filing of charges against the Malay mayor.
Among the construction activities on the island are those being undertaken by Ambassador Hotel in Paradise Resort, Crown Regency Hotel, Bocaray Regency Lagoon, BTR Hotel, KCI Ariham, Crown Regency Prince Hotel, Teodora Biggiogero KCI, Erus Suite Hotel, and Salic B. Ibrahim Hotel, the DENR said.
Atienza noted the continued construction of new hotels and expansion of some buildings on the island during a visit there over the weekend.
He was in Boracay to lead the culmination program of the Earth Day People’s Caravan—Visayas leg of the DENR.
DENR Region 6 Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio said the Boracay Environmental Plan has already undergone several revisions and consultations. She hoped the DENR would be able to present the plan to the Regional Development Council and to the various stakeholders by the end of the month.
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