MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Boracay Medium-Term Action Plan during the 39th Cabinet meeting on Monday, July 1, announced Malacañang.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro presented the plan to the Cabinet as part of the Duterte government’s efforts to keep the famous beach destination clean after its 6-month closure.

The medium-term plan has 4 components, explained Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement on Tuesday, July 2.

These are:

• Enforcement of laws where there will be intervention on the regulation of visitors and hotel accommodations
• Prevention where there will be interventions on the sewerage infrastructure, solid and liquid waste management
• Rehabilitation and recovery of ecosystems
• Sustainability of activities in the island such as improvement of roads and public health infrastructure, construction of permanent housing program for indigenous people (called the Ati) and education facilities

Duterte intervened in Boracay’s maintenance after seeing photos and videos of its poor sewerage system and algae-strewn waters during a Cabinet meeting. He publicly called it a “cesspool” and threatened to shut it off to visitors, a threat which he carried out in April 2018.

During this time, establishments violating environmental regulations were shut down, new rules on visitors introduced, and improvements to sewerage made. (READ: Boracay: Paradise reborn?)

Since the closure was lifted, tourists have returned to Boracay, albeit subject to some regulations. – Rappler.com