Construction moratorium lifted in Boracay

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the moratorium of construction in world-famous beach destination of Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

Heherson Alvarez of the Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) said that the said move is in coordination with both the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the local government of Malay, Aklan.

“With this development, the DOT and the local government of Malay will clarify the roles of each agency,” said Alvarez.

Last year, the DENR implemented the moratorium order after the Aquino administration declared Boracay a critical habitat.

Since then, the government has enforced a series of demolitions of illegal structures along the white beach.

Meanwhile, DENR now requires residential areas to apply for a permit in constructing a new structure.

“This new system may eventually transform into the possibility of giving out land titles to the residents in the near future,” added Alvarez.

The Supreme Court has previously declared Boracay as a government property.