AFTER A SIX-MONTH closure for rehabilitation, the celebrated resort of Boracay in Aklan, Philippines is set to reopen to tourists on October 26, despite continuing confusion about what the closure has achieved and what the future holds.
SUSTAINABILITY
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu made the announcement during a press conference after an Inter-Agency Task Force meeting on June 19. The decision comes less than three months after the shut down on April 16, after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte described it as a ‘cesspool’ due to its inadequate sewerage system.
Though a preliminary action plan was declared late-May – which included monitoring road-widening projects, removing structures within the No Build Zone and relocating illegal occupants – rumours of more far-reaching changes have swirled continually.
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper, Boracay will undergo ‘agrarian reform’ after reopening, with them quoting Duterte as saying: “I will give it to the farmers, to the Filipino first.”
At the other end of the spectrum, other sources have speculated about a US$500 million casino resort, given that Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment and local partner Leisure Resorts World Corporation acquired a 23-hectare parcel of land beside Manoc-Manoc, one of Boracay’s less frequented beaches, as well as a provisional license for operation, before the six-month closure. Both companies failed to respond to our interview requests prior to publication date.
Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2018 de Action Asia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2018 de Action Asia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Policing Paradise
Palau’s President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr has established his country in the vanguard of global efforts on ocean conservation, in particular with the 2015 designation of much of its territorial waters as a marine reserve and no-take zone. Policing this vast area though remains immensely challenging.
The Not-So-Silent World
Human activities may be emitting levels of noise that harm marine life.
Once Were Warriors
A visit to the 2018 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan is a surreal trip to a time and place where martial skills matter.
The Secret Life Of Pangolins
PALAWAN – IT’S 1AM AND MOST PEOPLE are safely in their beds. Instead I’m deep in the jungles of Palawan with an international team of researchers and a squad of Philippine Marines, searching for pangolins, the most illegally trafficked mammals on Earth.
Feast Your Senses
The Alta Via 1 is the classic Dolomite trail, bringing the peaks within arm’s reach as you hike between homely refugios and historic war-time fortifications.
China's Olympians Show The Way
WITH 40 RIDERS FROM 12 COUNTRIES, THE KTA made its second visit to the Desaru Coast in Malaysia with its Asia Pacific Hydrofoil Tour Series , which welcomes amateur and professional riders a like . Chinese Youth Olympians Haoran Zhang and Jingle Chen took first places in the Men’s and Women’s classes, while Korean veteran Soon Ho Kwon was crowned champion in the Masters.
China's Masses Warming To Snow
TWO YEARS AGO, CHINA opened the world’s largest indoor ski slope with two black runs, a blue run, snow play area and beginner slopes all served by chairlifts and magic carpets. Interestingly, it choose to build this behemoth in Harbin, where real snow piles high every winter and temperatures plunge low enough to host the annual International Ice and Snow Festival.
A Quieter, Cleaner Everest In Store?
FOLLOWING RECORD deaths during the Everest climbing season earlier this year, Nepal’s government and the climbing community are suggesting a new list of preconditions for any summit attempt.
A Life List Of Adventure
There’s a first time for everything. But some firsts matter more: experiences that are life-altering, that change perspective, build confidence and teach you about all you can do and all you can be.
Virtual Reality As A Travel Sales Tool
Virtual Reality As A Travel Sales Tool
