[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 15, 2009
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza assured yesterday land and property owners in Boracay that there will be "no outright demolition" of private structures when the government starts implementing a Supreme Court decision that classifies the island as forest land.
He also agreed on the formation of a committee representing the different interest groups in Boracay that will work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
"The directive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is clear: We don’t want to demolish structures outright," Atienza said.
He urged the stakeholders to immediately comply with the law while the DENR looks for ways in providing them better opportunities in lifting them out of their situation."
Atienza emphasized that the DENR will give ‘full meaning and substance to the law which has become final and should be executed by all of us."
He said that everyone has a stake in Boracay’s future as the country’s top tourist destination, and "the government has the duty and responsibility to protect the environment of the island, guided by the principle of sustainable development and strict observance of the law."
In the first of a series of meetings with Boracay stakeholders called by the DENR in Manila, Atienza clarified that the DENR would like to approach the Boracay issue in favor of the "builders in good faith."
He added: "We are not here to push you against the wall without any option but to give you preferential right to the land you are occupying."
Hecautioned investors not to fall prey to unscrupulous real estate developers who sell untitled properties at areas that may be classified as protected areas.
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