Technological Institute of the Philippines

Arlegui, Quipo Manila

A Case Study: Boracay Rehabilitation

Presented To

Czarina Mae Chua Legaspi, RPm

In Partial Fulfillment
Of The Requirements For The Subject

Ethics (Final Project)

By

Bautista, John Patrick G.

October 15, 2018

DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY

The island of Boracay has been experiencing two decades of recurring issues on waste
water and solid waste management that have caused a decline in tourist arrivals and therefore a
loss of income. There had been outbreaks of coliform bacteria as early as 1997 that caused a 60%
declin e in tourist arrivals during that period.1 In 2004, the coliform crisis continued since not all
establishments were connected to the centralized sewage treatment plant according to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The same problem was also
encountered in 2009 and 2015, and again in the assessment of DENR in the current year.

In addition to this, the island’s biodiversity has also suffered greatly from unregulated and
anarchic sprout of commercial development virtually converting large swathes of foreshore areas
into coastal tourism destinations bringing in uncontrolled influx of tourists from all over the
world. A study of the Philippine and Japanese governments showed that the coral cover declined
70.5% over a period of only two decades which coincided with the 38.4% increase in tourist
arrivals.2 Both the decline of water quality and coral reef deterioration were associated with the
direct discharge of untreated water waste near the shore.3 Barangay Yapak, located in the
northern side of the island, is the home of endemic and endangered bats such as the flying foxes
which has drastically declined in population due to habitat loss and human disturbance.4

The decline in water quality and biodiversity loss have shown that the mechanisms to manage
heightened tourism interest in the island are lacking and reflect mismanagement and weak
governance. And now, these environmental issues are being used as reasons for the proposed
closure which will further cause massive displacement to the lives of the residents reliant on
tourism and related activities for their livelihoods, amounting to more than 36,000 workers. This
threat raises this issue from a case of ecological justice to a case of social justice.

Rehabilitation should indeed be undertaken but it should not come at the cost of people’s lives
and livelihoods. Our right to a healthy ecosystem should go hand in hand with our right to
livelihood.

More importantly, environmental rehabilitation should serve primarily the majority of the
population especially the small farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous people and not big corporate
local and foreign interests.

Instead of a total closure, there should be a moratorium on new and expansion of

establishments while environmental laws are strictly implemented. Violators of environmental
laws should be held accountable and liable. Livelihood of the workers should be ensured.

The rehabilitation and management of tourism in Boracay should therefore usher in

improvements not only to the natural coastal environment but also to the marginalized
communities in the vicinities as well. There should be a democratic, comprehensive and
scientifically-sound rehabilitation program that involves participation by all stakeholders before
any rehabilitation activities are to take place.
The tourism industry in the country is capitalized on rich biodiversities and beautiful sceneries
of the archipelago. Many poor farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous people communities are
directly benefitting from their services for their survival. Therefore, tourism in the country
should promote and develop appreciation, respect and improvement of community life, history
and traditions, and the local environment. The industry should be geared towards national
development and not cause further violation of people’s rights, economic imbalances and
ecological damage.

B.) ETHICAL ISSUE POSED BY THE CASE

The crackdown on pollution in Boracay, a world-famous resort island, which President

Duterte said development had turned into a “cesspool,” showed no sign of slowing down, with
more than 200 cases of environmental violations already filed by the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a press statement on Saturday, the DENR said as of Feb. 26—just two weeks after Mr. Duterte
ordered a cleanup of Boracay—the department had already issued 207 notices of violations to
establishments found violating environmental rules.
The notices were issued to 116 establishments found violating the Philippine Clean Water Act,
77 for violating the Philippine Clean Air Act, five for violating both laws and nine for operating
without an environmental compliance certificate.

Sewage facilities of at least 578 establishments had been surveyed and inspected and only 383
were found to be connected to the sewage line of the island’s water and sewage system
providers. The rest dumped untreated sewage directly to the sea.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu also directed Boracay Island Water Corp. to repair and
rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plants in the villages of Manoc-Manoc and Balabag. The
treatment facility in Balabag had exceeded its capacity, emitting foul odor.
The DENR also issued notices of violations, cease and desist orders, and demolition notices to at
least 100 illegal settlers, a mall and a hotel found encroaching in four out of nine wetlands in
Boracay, contributing to water pollution.

C. WORKSHEET QUESTIONS

 For how long will Boracay be closed to tourists?

 Is closing down Boracay a good idea?

 Boracay is being closed from what?

 What will happen during the 6-month closure?

 What about the businesses and livelihood of locals?

 What awaits violators?

  How about local government officials who helped violators?

 Does Boracay will be good after 6 months in the Philippines?

Government braces for legal challenges to Boracay closure

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is ready to face possible legal
complaints from business establishments in Boracay following the government’s decision to
close the island resort for about six months.

DENR named some establishments that have committed severe violations – including Crown
Regency, West Cove Hotel and D’Mall – with issues ranging from over-expansion to building on
tributaries that flow on wetlands.

A provisional license was granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to Macau-
based Galaxy Entertainment and their Filipino partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp.

The DENR is expecting rehabilitation efforts to take more than six months but maintained that
the relaunching of Boracay can happen sooner.

President Duterte this week approved the recommendation of three government agencies for a
six-month closure of Boracay effective April 26 to make way for its rehabilitation.

The proposal came from the DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government and
Department of Tourism.

Lawmakers said the government should attach a “performance target” to the six-month closure
of Boracay and immediately implement measures to cushion the economic impact of the
shutdown of the world-famous tourist destination.

Teo said the DOT is not expecting a significant decline in the number of domestic tourists this
year from the Boracay closure, as they project locals to choose other destinations.

In terms of losses in tourism revenues, Clemente estimated at least P30 billion, or 50 percent of
the projected P62 billion in tourist receipts for this year.

He noted that Boracay earned P56 billion in 2017.

An additional P6 billion was expected to be realized this year with the launching of more
chartered flights from China, he said.

He added stakeholders were asking for at least a six-month lead time before closure so they can
prepare accordingly.

He said the six-month closure would be unfair to compliant Boracay establishments.

During the six-month closure, the government would rehabilitate the drainage and sewage
systems of Boracay island and demolish establishments built on no-build areas.

It is also threatening to sue local and national officials who had tolerated such infractions.

DENR’s Leones said several officers of the department assigned in the Boracay area will be
made liable for making possible issuance of permits even to the erring companies situated in the
island.

He added they will carefully study those involved since the DENR is in charge in issuing
environmental compliance certificate (ECC), permit to operate and discharge permit.

Though no DENR official has been suspended yet, Leones said they are now carefully checking
their records.

Cimatu said there would be major changes on the basis for granting of permits to establishments
interested in operating in Boracay.

He said the carrying capacity of the island would now be given much weight before an ECC can
be issued to a company.

In particular, it will be the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau that will
determine the island’s carrying capacity.

Cimatu likewise said there would be a retraining of stakeholders on solid waste management in
the island. These will include environment officials, local officials, business groups and
establishment owners.

 How to rehabilitate Boracay Island?

 Last February, Duterte likened Boracay to a pool of human waste because of lack of
sewerage system and threatened to close the island if the problem is not
addressed. Duterte said local officials who failed to solve the environmental woes of the
tourist spot are liable for neglect of duty.

 6 month closure of the island will be done to do some cleaning and maintenance.

 How will it affect the livelihood of the residents of the island?

More than 30,000 people who work on the island, around 17,000 people in
Boracay are directly employed by hospitality establishments, with another 17,000
informal workers making a living from selling boat trips, island hopping tours and
vending souvenirs would be displaced.
  Factors to be considered.

 Livelihood of the residents in the island. What will be the alternative source of
income for the 6 month closure.

 Potential losses that would have earned if there is no closure

 Claimants/affected by the closure:

 Hotel owners

 Small and big time vendors

 Informal workers

 What are the operant ideas?

 For me: there must be a good discipline to each and every residents and guests in
maintaining the cleanliness of the island..

 For the client/organization/profession: there must be a strict adherence to the law and
must maintain cleanliness whatever we are doing.

 Residents or guest in Boracay and the organization should cooperate to each other inorder
to avoid any difficulties in the near future. As they say, what you do is what you get.

 What are your options and which would favored by each affected party?

 Long term tourism benefits (more revenues to our country)

 A nice place to stay with. (good and environment )

 More investments would come in.

 Which option could harm to claimants?

The only harm that could affect the claimants are the loss of income for the 6 month closure.
  The theory that I made for this case study is UTILITARIANISM.

Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that places the locus of right and wrong solely on the
outcomes (consequences) of choosing one action/policy over other actions/policies. As such, it
moves beyond the scope of one's own interests and takes into account the interests of others.

What we do to our environment will return to us. Discipline must start to ourselves.
Rehabilitation could have not been done if we don’t do anything bad to our environment
especially to our precious island, Boracay.

 Course of action based in my analysis was;

The DENR as being said, they will identify areas for reforestation, both inland forest and
beaches or coastal areas.

He also added that the reforestation activities will be incorporated in the Enhanced National
Greening Program (ENGP), and the indigenous peoples and those who will be affected by
Boracay’s six-month closure will be enrolled as beneficiaries of the program to cushion its
expected economic impact. They also discussing the possibility of introducing waste-to-energy
(WTE) solutions to the garbage problem besetting Boracay.

 For me the he temporary closure of world renowned Boracay island is changing the
future of the country’s tourism landscape, albeit for the better.
If the proposition on closing the island will be approved, I think it'll reap positive results.
The island will have the chance to recover its natural beauty because the government can
have enough time to rehabilitate the abused island. It can also serve as a lesson to the
concerned individuals who make money out of the island but never cared for it. By
closing the island, it also awakens the mind of every Filipino to pay attention to their
environment and be mindful of their actions for it always carry corresponding
consequence.

I will never go against a proposition whose main purpose is to save the abused. I am one with the
proposition that the island should be closed. What makes me think this way is the fact that for
how many years, the island had suffered enough. It has served its purpose and that is to provide a
haven for those who wished to escape the has reality of life. Boracay Island provided comfort
and happiness but in return, it was he who suffered most. By closing the island, rehabilitation
projects in order to regain its lost beauty will take place. Awareness on the importance of taking
care of nature will prevail and such abuse will never happen again. Other than Boracay Island,
our country was still a lot more to offer that is why closing the island will have less of an impact
on the tourism industry of the country. It can also be an avenue for other tourist destinations to
be made known since tourists will find other alternatives upon the closure of the Boracay Island.
The island sacrificed a lot and now is the time for us take part of it.

References:

 Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/968277/what-went-before-boracays-

environmental-issues
 The study was undertaken as part of the Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive
Management (CECAM) project funded by the Japanese International Cooperation
Agency (JICA). Retrieved from https://businessmirror.com.ph/70-of-boracay-coral-reefs-
gone-after-23-years-study/
 According to University of the Philippines scientist Miguel Fortes. Retrieved from
https://businessmirror.com.ph/70-of-boracay-coral-reefs-gone-after-23-years-study/
 According to the conservation group Friends of Flying Foxes retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/52107/boracay%E2%80%99s-other-attraction-flying-foxes5;.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/972685/denr-issues-200-notices-of-violation-in-boracay
 . https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/07/1803605/government-braces-legal-
challenges-boracay-closure
 Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/04/1802553/boracay-
rehabilitation-plan-now-palace-action#bAOGX12bQFIj0Tjr.99
.