SC rescues Boracay
- Details
- Published on Monday, 16 July 2012 00:30
- Written by ELLEN TORDESILLAS
By A Web design Company
Boracay Foundation Inc, , a corporation composed of at least 60 owners and representative of resorts, hotels, and similar institutions as well as community organizations and environmental advocates in Boracay island, hailed the decision of the Supreme Court ordering indefinite suspension of the reclamation project being pushed by the provincial government of Aklan as ‘a triumph of environmental justice.”
Lawyers Harry Roque and Joel Butuyan, counsels of BFI, said “the ruling will protect the best beach on earth and the country’s tourism crown jewel.”
Known as the Boracay Marina Project, the reclamation was supposed to reclaim 40 hectares costing P1.3 billion in the areas adjacent to the jetty ports, Barangays Caticlan and Manoc-manoc in the municipality of Malay.
The project includes the renovation and rehabilitation of the Caticlan Passenger Terminal Building and Jetty port and “enhancement and recovery of the Caticlan coastline.”
The BFI opposed the project saying that there was no consultation with the people in Boracay and Caticlan and the most basic in such a major project: a thorough study on the effects of the reclamation on the environment.
An initial survey was conducted in November 2010 by the Marine Environmental Resources Foundation and the University of the Philippines Martine Science Institute. It was commissioned by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay.
The study is a bit too technical but here’s the summary which warns of adverse effect of the reclamation on the supply of sand which is the main attraction of Boracay:
“The flow in the channel between Boracay and Caticlan is dominated by the tides.
“Field measurements show an accumulation of the flow in the narrowest part of the channel. Upon exiting the channel, the accelerated flow in the channel continues as a “jet” leaving eddies and wakes on the leeward side of both (Boracay and Caticlan) headlands.
“The effects of reclamation were simulated by extending the Caticlan coastline 200m offshore decreasing the width of the channel at its narrowest part. Computer simulations of the flow showed that the narrower channel did not drastically change the spread of the currents although it showed a slight increase. The longest changes in velocity were observed in areas adjacent to the channel, which suggests that the flow does not squeeze through the narrower channel but is instead diverted. The diverted flow will result in increased in flow in some areas which may lead to higher sand transport such as off the southwest part of the Boracay Island.
“The shallower depths and gentler slopes on the Boracay side of the channel indicate higher potential for wave refraction. Increased refraction usually results in wave incident angles becoming more perpendicular to the coast and when waves approach at an angle perpendicular to the coast, alongshore sediment transport is weak.
“Hence alongshore sediment transport in the southern coast of Boracay is weaker and constrained by the presence of numerous headlands.
“On the Caticlan side, the coast is made up of a long continuous sandy beach with stronger alongshore sediment transport. Coastal structures which obstruct the wave field or littoral alongshore currents can lead to modified erosion/deposition patterns.”
It was recommended that” Reclamation along the Caticlan coast which would decrease the width of the channel, particularly at its narrowest part should be avoided as flow diversion may lead to a change in the flow patterns and speed away from the channel.“To ensure a continuous supply of sand to the coast of Boracay Island, measures to protect and conserve habitats which contribute to the sand supply must be undertaken.”
Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said he will file a motion for reconsideration.
The problem with government officials is, they see Boracay as the goose that lays the golden egg. Instead of taking care of the goose, making it strong and healthy, they squeeze and squeeze it for the eggs.
Don’t they realize that if they continue to do that, time will come when the goose will just die?
It’s a good thing the Supreme Court has come to the rescue.
