The Department of Tourism asked the municipality of Malay Aklan to prepare a land use plan for Boracay by December. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano says that the town officials should not allow any new construction in the island. The island paradise, which has been experiencing over-development without systematic planning, needs a comprehensive land use plan so that various problems on the resort island such as vehicular traffic, squatting and pollution would be reduced. He said that the challenge for Boracay is to balance development and sustainability. To sustain the natural beauty of the island, he asked the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to allocate funds for restorative programs and technologies aside from exercising its regulatory powers on the island.
About 387,000 foreign and domestic tourists arrived at Boracay in the first seven months of 2007, generating more than P7 billion for the local economy. They also mentioned that despite of the rainy season, occupancy rate at hotels and resorts in the island averaged 70 percent in August, as confirmed by the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. First-class accommodation facilities in the island charge between P3,000 and P15,000 a night. Arrivals are expected to increase in the coming months dueto the opening of direct flights from South Korea to the Kalibo Airport in Aklan.
The DOT is also promoting other islands, such as the Elephant Island in Marinduque and Carabao Island in Romblon, as alternative sites to Boracay.
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