Effects of climate change can now be felt in Boracay- DENR-WV

BORACAY Island, Aklan The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the effects of climate change can now be felt on this resort island, prompting the department to conduct several monitoring activities on this resort island.

Livino Duran, regional executive director of the DENR-Western Visayas, said in a media forum in their office in Iloilo that among the phenomena that could be possibly attributed to the climate change were the sea level rise, beach erosion, and the frequent flooding in low-lying areas here. “The beach erosion is usually felt during habagat,” he said.

Because of this, Duran said the DENR will continue to implement strict environmental policies on this resort island in 2023.

The DENR-Mines Geoscience Bureau is currently undertaking the study of the increasing number of sinkholes that could be attributed to global warming or over development here

Mae Magarzo, the chief geologist of the DENR-MGB, reported that they found 815sinkholes on this resort island this year. In 2019, the sinkholes were only registered at 801.

It was gathered that some of the sinkholes were found among public schools, hotels, and wetland areas. “Currently we are coordinating with various government agencies for them to be aware of the possible dangers of the sinkholes,” she said. Boracay was generally made up of limestones, which are prone to over development.

Atty. Noefl Empleo, chief of the legal department of the DENR-WV, said they have filed several cases from different stakeholders in this resort island this year to compel the illegal occupants to move out of Boracay.

Based on the study of the DENR-WV, Boracay could only carry 15, 836 per day. Its current population, however, reaches 70,761, many of whom are tourists or workers.

Empleo said that they had recorded 1, 213 forest occupants on this resort island. Of which, 342 structures were either already demolished or are undergoing ongoing self-demolition. 

“As of November 21, 2022, we have already filed 124 cases, one of which were re-filed.  The 748 remaining number of forests occupants will be filed net year,” he said.

((photo by: Crisostomo Aquino)