ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Wednesday called on local executives in Bohol to formulate a long-term development plan for Panglao Island to avoid a situation similar to Boracay Island, which is now facing serious environmental problems mainly due to unmanaged overdevelopment.
He cited the need to for Bohol to come up with measures since just like Aklan’s Boracay, Panglao is one of the country’s top tourist destinations famous for its white sand beaches and world-class diving.
Despite ongoing efforts of the Bohol provincial government and other Panglao stakeholders, the DENR chief underscored the need to plan for the island’s long-term development to ensure the sustainability of its environment.
“The plans you are making are good for now. But I want to see a development plan for Panglao for the next 30 years,” he said.
He earlier met with members of the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council, led by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto.
Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environmental Management Bureau regional office in Central Visayas presented water quality sampling results and a list of establishments violating easement laws to the local officials.
The council secretariat also presented policy actions and initiatives to address the island’s environmental issues.
Cimatu commended the council’s efforts, but warned on the expected effects that the completion of the international airport would bring about.
“Unlike Boracay, there are more reasons for people of all ages to come here. The tourism industry will really flourish and the infrastructure like sewage will have to change,” he said.
“You should have a plan, what will happen 10, 20, years from now to guide future leaders because [short-term] plans change when leadership changes,” he added.
According to Cimatu, “we do not want this to happen in Panglao, or Siargao, or El Nido.”
He was referring to the environmental violations being committed in Boracay Island and Siargao.