Manila (30 May) — In line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “surge in infras”, particularly to improve tourism facilities to attain 5 million tourist arrivals target in 2010, the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) signed a partnership agreement with Manila Water in a bid to uphold the water supply systems and sewerage in Boracay Island, Aklan.
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, acting PTA general manager executed a Memorandum of Understanding and Contract of Services for Manila Water to devise, implement and monitor management plans for the Boracay Water Sewerage System (BWSS).
Also under the contract, Manila Water will be in charge of the day-to-day observation and monitoring of the operations and management, improve the capability of the BWSS staff and institute preventive maintenance.
The PTA sees the agreement with Manila Water essential in protecting the vital public services and facilities in Boracay with initial budget of P300 million.
The Boracay Water Sewerage System was designed and constructed as part of the PTA’s Boracay Environmental Infrastructure Project in 1996. The water system was made possible through a loan package from the Japan Bank International Cooperation.
The BWSS currently provides potable water in the island through a system of distribution reservoirs and pipelines. Here, individual service connections have been installed for both residential and commercial establishments particularly in the barangays of Yapak, Manoc-Manoc and Balabag.
The BWSS also manages a centralized treatment facility to treat and dispose collected wastewater via collection pipelines, booster pump stations and manholes. Wastewater is collected and treated before it is discharged into the Sibuyan Sea.
Famous for its world-class powder-fine, white beaches, the 1,000 hectare island also boasts of a number of natural tourist attractions like the Preserved Dead Forest which is located on the eastern side of the island and the Bat Caves located on the northern end of the island. These caves are dwelling places of thousands of fruits eating bats.
The focus of tourism development will revolve around upgraded infrastructure and efficient utilities, a rehabilitated, protected and nurtured environment and the preservation of the local cultural heritage. Specifically, this involves upgrading the airport, roads, bridges, ports and jetties as well as ensuring that all power, telecommunications and water utilities are operating efficiently. Moreover, the integration and inclusion of environment-friendly measures should be the primary concern of all development initiatives of the Municipality.
The Department of Trade and Industry has endorsed to Malacanang to declare are ecovillage resort operated by Filipino owned Boracay Property Holdings Inc. as a tourism economic zone in anticipation of the increased number of tourists to the Philippines. (PIA)
