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The downside of being so hugely popular is that you become affiliated with activities you had no part in. Case in point:
Pacquiao pal hit over resort on Boracay coral reefs
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 16:34:00 10/13/2009
Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Tourism
ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Boracay stakeholders have called for an immediate stop to construction activities over coral reefs and no-build zone areas on the island by a resort owned by a businessman reported to be close to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr.
In a joint statement, business groups Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) and the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), deplored the construction activities of the Boracay West Cove Resort at Sitio Diniwid in the village of Yapac, Malay town.
"We express our anger and frustration about the ongoing illegal and destructive construction activities of the West Cove resort at the Diniwid Beach on Boracay Island. The construction activities on the coral reefs and cliff are causing irreversible harm to Boracay's already damaged natural resources," the business groups said in the statement.
The photos of construction activities showed coral reefs already wrapped in concrete with a hut being built over them. A concrete bridge connects the coral reefs to the resort.
The resort, owned by Manila-based businessman Crisostomo "Cris" Aquino, earlier drew criticisms from owners of resorts and other stakeholders in Boracay for alleged violations including the building of structures on a cliff and over coral reefs.
Aquino is a close friend of Pacquiao, who is a protégé of Atienza.
"We are alarmed because these environmentally destructive activities have been going on for too long despite our protests," BFI President Loubelle Cann told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
Cann said that these activities "are putting to waste all our efforts and resources to rehabilitate and save Boracay's environment."
In an interview on Tuesday, Aquino said the structures they were building were just temporary so that the guests could reach the hut from the resort even during low tide.
The owners of resorts in Boracay questioned Atienza in August on the inability of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to stop the alleged violations. They asked why the resort continued to operate even without permits from the local government and the DENR, and in violation of a municipal ordinance barring the construction of structures on no-build-zone areas.
Atienza said the resort was legalizing its operations by entering into a Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAgT), which would allow the continued operation of West Cove.
A FlagT, under DENR Administrative Order 2004-59, allows the temporary use, occupation and development of any forest land for tourism purposes for a period of 25 years and renewable for the same period.
The agreement covers forest lands to be used for bathing, camp sites, eco-tourism destinations, hotel sites and other tourism purposes.
Aquino, in an earlier interview, revealed his resort’s pending application for FlagT covering 10,586 square meters.
Atienza ordered the processing of the application after it was filed on March 9, Aquino said.
The resort developer explained that they applied for business and other permits but he could not be issued these permits until they could secure a FLAgT.
The resort has been operating without business and other permits since 2007, according to municipal officials.
"We cannot understand why the management of the resort is allowed to undertake these illegal and environmentally destructive activities. For the past two years, it appears that they are enjoying too much immunity and can do anything they like even without a single permit," the business groups said in their statement.
Atienza has repeatedly said that his agency would crack down on violators of environmental laws on the islan
Pacquiao pal hit over resort on Boracay coral reefs
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 16:34:00 10/13/2009
Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Tourism
ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Boracay stakeholders have called for an immediate stop to construction activities over coral reefs and no-build zone areas on the island by a resort owned by a businessman reported to be close to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr.
In a joint statement, business groups Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) and the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), deplored the construction activities of the Boracay West Cove Resort at Sitio Diniwid in the village of Yapac, Malay town.
"We express our anger and frustration about the ongoing illegal and destructive construction activities of the West Cove resort at the Diniwid Beach on Boracay Island. The construction activities on the coral reefs and cliff are causing irreversible harm to Boracay's already damaged natural resources," the business groups said in the statement.
The photos of construction activities showed coral reefs already wrapped in concrete with a hut being built over them. A concrete bridge connects the coral reefs to the resort.
The resort, owned by Manila-based businessman Crisostomo "Cris" Aquino, earlier drew criticisms from owners of resorts and other stakeholders in Boracay for alleged violations including the building of structures on a cliff and over coral reefs.
Aquino is a close friend of Pacquiao, who is a protégé of Atienza.
"We are alarmed because these environmentally destructive activities have been going on for too long despite our protests," BFI President Loubelle Cann told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
Cann said that these activities "are putting to waste all our efforts and resources to rehabilitate and save Boracay's environment."
In an interview on Tuesday, Aquino said the structures they were building were just temporary so that the guests could reach the hut from the resort even during low tide.
The owners of resorts in Boracay questioned Atienza in August on the inability of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to stop the alleged violations. They asked why the resort continued to operate even without permits from the local government and the DENR, and in violation of a municipal ordinance barring the construction of structures on no-build-zone areas.
Atienza said the resort was legalizing its operations by entering into a Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAgT), which would allow the continued operation of West Cove.
A FlagT, under DENR Administrative Order 2004-59, allows the temporary use, occupation and development of any forest land for tourism purposes for a period of 25 years and renewable for the same period.
The agreement covers forest lands to be used for bathing, camp sites, eco-tourism destinations, hotel sites and other tourism purposes.
Aquino, in an earlier interview, revealed his resort’s pending application for FlagT covering 10,586 square meters.
Atienza ordered the processing of the application after it was filed on March 9, Aquino said.
The resort developer explained that they applied for business and other permits but he could not be issued these permits until they could secure a FLAgT.
The resort has been operating without business and other permits since 2007, according to municipal officials.
"We cannot understand why the management of the resort is allowed to undertake these illegal and environmentally destructive activities. For the past two years, it appears that they are enjoying too much immunity and can do anything they like even without a single permit," the business groups said in their statement.
Atienza has repeatedly said that his agency would crack down on violators of environmental laws on the islan