MANILA, Philippines - A stakeholders group on Tuesday welcomed a government order to demolish structures of 80 Boracay resorts, saying the move will help restore the beauty of Boracay's beaches. <\/p>\n
Speaking to ANC, Boracay Foundation Inc. director and beach front resort owner Nenette Graf welcomed the government order to re-establish the easement portion area of the 4-kilometer white sand beach in Boracay. <\/p>\n
\"This is a welcome move from our side, the stakeholders. I think it is about time that we protect our white beach, to preserve it. At this point in time, we are really at a panic because our beaches...is becoming brown already,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez earlier said at least 80 establishments on Boracay island face possible demolition by end of March this year for building too close to the water line. <\/p>\n
He said a government task force, composed of the tourism, environment, health, justice and interior and local government departments, has already ordered the establishments to self-demolish. <\/p>\n
Graf said she knows of 11 Boracay resorts that have received the government order to self-demolish. One of them is the Nandana Boracay Resort, while the others are in Station 3, she added. <\/p>\n
She said none of the establishments have yet to comply with the government order. <\/p>\n
Graf admitted that some resort owners deliberately violated the rules after seeing other establishments do the same thing. \"Now, it's payback time,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Jimenez earlier said the deadline for the self-demolition is non-negotiable because of the deterioration of the island's beaches. He said resorts that ignore the order will still be demolished and the expenses shouldered by the owners. <\/p>\n
He confirmed some of the structures, including embankments to prevent floods, will be completely demolished for building too near the water line. <\/p>\n
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'Boracay beaches turning brown'<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MANILA, Philippines - A stakeholders group on Tuesday welcomed a government order to demolish structures of 80 Boracay resorts, saying the move will help restore the beauty of Boracay's beaches. Speaking to ANC, Boracay Foundation Inc Continue reading