Malacanang recognizes LGU’s autonomy over Boracay

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Saturday said here that the Duterte administration recognized the autonomy of both governments of the province of Aklan and its Malay town in sustaining stewardship in Boracay.

In a Kalibo version of the Malacanang press briefing here, Roque said that Malacanang did not have plans to control the island of Boracay to fix its existing issues.

"Rest assured that President Duterte is for federalism which means empowering local government. So this automatically means that the Malacanang respects the autonomy of the local government in Boracay," he said.

"During initial discussions, both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have recommended that an executive order should soon be released by President Rodrigo Duterte. The next Cabinet meeting will be on February 25 and I am not yet sure if the executive order for Boracay will be in the agenda then," he added.

He even assured that the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the DOT has already approved the PHP1.16 billion drainage project for Boracay.

The drainage project, when completed, is being eyed to address flooding problems in Boracay.

"The construction of the phase 2 project will start by February or March of this year. It is hope(d) to be completed by the year 2020," he said.

Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez said business, residents and tourists in Boracay might still suffer from flooding while the drainage was being constructed.

"The problem,however, will be temporary, for it would have a lasting solution when it (drainage project) is completed," said Marquez.