After the shutdown and rehabilitation of Boracay, the Department of Tourism sends out notices to five other tourist destinations in the Philippines to get their act together. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat told CNN Philippines that she has sent out letters to El Nido in Palawan, Panglao in Bohol, Oslob in Cebu, La Union, and Baguio City. She said she reminded local governments in these areas to check if they are following environmental laws.
Baguio Is A Unique Case
Most of the tourist destinations cited by DOT are located in the coastal areas, where easement space is a major issue, just like Boracay. Baguio, on the other hand, is a unique case which may require a different approach in rehabilitation.
The city, as most urban development experts have pointed out, is already experiencing problems that have to do with overpopulation and overdevelopment. Among these problems are waste management, especially solid waste, traffic congestion, and pollution. What used to be open and green spaces are being encroached by too much development.
A growing number of Baguio residents are showing their concern for overdevelopment and the local government’s inaction towards it. In the case of the SM Baguio Sky Ranch project, Mayor Mauricio Domogan earlier said that a public consultation was not needed so long as SM complies with the requirements. However, thousands of citizens signed a petition demanding for a public consultation which they hope will be honored by the city government.
Is A Boracay-Style Shutdown Necessary?
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the government agency behind the Boracay rehabilitation, has initially declared that a shutdown may not be feasible for Baguio City. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu told members of the press during his recent visit that they are not considering to close the city to tourists. He added that the department will help the local government address some of the problems that Baguio is already experiencing.