SC ruling sparks controversies on Boracay land status
[ Manila Bulletin Onine ] January 13, 2009
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. is set to meet today with stakeholders of Boracay Island at the DENR central office in Quezon City to tackle issues and concerns arising from the implementation of a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that declared the famous tourist destination in Aklan as part of the public domain.
"The Supreme Court has already ruled on the legitimacy of Proclamation No. 1064 issued by President Arroyo. This dialogue with the Boracay stakeholders is the first step towards the formulation of a policy that is acceptable to all concerned sectors," Atienza said.
The DENR head said President Arroyo has directed him to reach out and make the people in Boracay understand that all government moves are intended not only to bring order to the degraded environmental situation, particularly on the Island, but also to provide security of tenure to the stakeholders.
Atienza noted that the SC decision has sparked controversies arising from fears and misunderstanding.
Expected to attend the stakeholders’ conference are local officials of Malay town, Aklan; representatives of the private sector, such as the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Boracay Foundation Inc.; and officials of other government agencies in Aklan such as the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority.
"Let us buckle down to work now, thresh out issues, and address environmental and legal issues surrounding Boracay Island, so we can protect and preserve this national jewel," Atienza said.
"We need to promote sustainable development in Boracay Island, protect its remaining forest cover, and improve the quality and integrity of its environment," he said.
The SC decision issued last Oct. 8 reversed a Court of Appeals decision that upheld a local government’s order urging the survey of Boracay Island, Malay town in Aklan for titling purposes.
The SC, in its decision, rejected the petition of private landowners to nullify Proclamation 1064 signed by President Arroyo on May 22, 2006.
Proclamation 1064 classified 400 hectares as forest reserves and 628 hectares as agricultural land, the areas that private landowners are claiming have been declared alienable and disposable.
"Responsible stakeholders have welcomed the SC decision because it gives them the security of tenure," Atienza said.
The DENR secretary said that the affected stakeholders must be given full land titles for security, "not only tax declarations."
He assured that the DENR will move immediately to address the needs of those who will be affected.
"We are going to work with them. It is not the intention of the government, most importantly President Arroyo, to allow a very serious dislocation of the occupants," Atienza said, adding that the purpose is to make clear that the government is in full control of the Island.
He said the SC decision strengthens the hand of the government in maintaining and protecting order on Boracay island.
"The SC decision only proves that the position of the government with regard to the issue has always been correct," he also said.
He noted that the present state of Boracay Island has deteriorated, and the white beaches are threatened by pollution.
"The concern about the resort island has reached a level in which Boracay is already considered in danger, as its white beaches are polluted, its capacity already reaching its limits, and forest area already denuded," Atienza said.
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