Controversial resort owner to demolish illegal structure

The demolition of the illegal structures of the Boracay West Cove resort was supposed to be undertaken Friday afternoon by a team led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.

However, Cimatu decided to postpone the demolition due to the presence of a number of tourists at the property.

Boracay West Cove owner Crisostomo Aquino then decided that they will demolish the structures themselves.

Cimatu said the structure is built outside the 998-sq. m. area covered by the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes, or FLAgT of the resort which was issued to them in 2009.

“This is a rock formation, outside of the FLAgT. This will never be approved,” Cimatu told the media in an interview.

A FLAgT allows the temporary use, occupation and development of any forest land for tourism purposes for a period of 25 years renewable for another 25 years.

Boracay West Cove has been controversial in the past for the same violation.

Aside from the violation of their FLAgT, the resort is also ordered to be closed by the local government of Malay for operating without business and building permits.

Malay LGU Executive Assistant Rowen Aguirre said a demolition order dated Feb. 21, 2018, has been issued against Boracay West Cove.

Despite guaranteeing self-demolition, Cimatu said he will still join the demolition team at Boracay West Cove this Saturday.

Aside from Boracay West Cove, Cimatu said two other establishments have also voluntarily dismantled their illegal structures.

He likewise urged other resort violators to follow.

Meanwhile, prior to his visit in the island, Cimatu met with the officials of municipality of Malay, Aklan.-Karen Bermejo/PNA