The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force yesterday ordered 10 beachfront establishments on Boracay Island to self-demolish for operating without the necessary permits and clearances.
The establishments were particularly found exceeding the required coastal easement and therefore subject for demolition.
These are Steve’s Cliff/Boracay Terraces Resort, Willy’s Rock Resort, Boracay Plaza Resort, Little Prairie Inn, Watercolors Diveshop, Blue Lilly Hotel, Exclusive Dawn VIP Boracay Resort, True Home, and New Wave Divers, all located on the island’s Station 1 area. Calveston International Inc. located in Station 2 was also found violating the easement rule.
Existing laws and regulations set the coastal easement on the island at 30 meters and the road easement at six meters from the center of the road.
All establishments found violating easement laws were ordered to suspend operations pending the removal of their illegal structures.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu said there are still establishments in Boracay that have started to operate without the necessary permits from the BIATF.
Cimatu said the 10 establishments will be given 15 days to self-demolish. “If they still refuse to comply, the inter-agency task force will be forced to demolish these structures,” he added.
The prohibited activities and structures were meant to protect the shore and maintain the pristine quality of the sand, which is Boracay’s top selling feature.
Among those prohibited are the construction of stage platform for entertainment purposes and setting up of tables, chairs, massage beds, beach umbrellas, souvenir shops, and food stalls.
Electrical fixtures, such as lightings and wirings, will also be removed and prohibited from the beachfront vegetation area. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)