61. GSTC @ ENDANGERED BORA

GSTC @ ENDANGERED BORA

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano

15 March 2018

Boracay is one of the top destinations of both local and foreign tourists in the country not only during summer season but throughout the year. I’m back in this popular island to attend Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) sponsored “The Philippine National Forum – Global Sustainable Tourism Standards & Development” held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. Lately, Boracay is in the headlines and in a bad light. President Rodrigo Duterte said last week that he would declare a state of calamity in Boracay because of its sewage and several other environmental problems and warned courts not to interfere by issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) in the clean-up. Posted in Inquirer news, Duterte said that the problem in Boracay is a public health and public safety issue, allowing him to issue such declaration. He had also asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government to file charges against local officials liable for the degradation of the renowned beach. In the news today, the government would not hesitate to send the Marines and “blow up” illegal structures in the shores of Boracay if resort owners would continue to defy orders to clean up the world famous island, a Palace official. “The last that I heard is that the local government may even ask the President for assistance to call in the Marines if need be,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing. “So when I heard that report, I told them, send the letter because I’m sure the President will not hesitate to send in the Marines and even use dynamites to blow up that illegal structure there,” he added.

Several blogs shares unpleasant memories in Boracay. Annaeverywhere.com narrates: “... I was quite hesitant to go there as I’m not much for partying, but I enjoy the beach a lot and I felt like Boracay would be quite a social place to be. Unfortunately, Boracay turned out to be no more than a tourist trap and probably one of the worst places I’ve ever been to in South-East Asia. You may hate me for saying this and trust me, I was incredibly disappointed when I left the island, so before you crucify me, read my thoughts to understand why I hated Boracay...”

Google narrates a brief history of the island located at the northwesternmost tip of Panay Island in the Visayas in Central Philippines: The first settlers of Boracay are called Negritos or Ati, the indigenous people in Panay island, and they farmed and fished for centuries. During the 1960s and 1970s, Boracay became popular among families from Panay. When a German writer published a book about the Philippines in 1978, describing Boracay history and the beautiful island in details, the island was introduced to the world. This marked the beginning of tourist “boom” with tourist.

In my article in hISTORYA entitled “Godofredo P. Ramos, Caticlan & Bora, Malay” posted in FB on May 19, 2017, the etymology of Boracay was included. Boracay was derived from the old local word “borac” which means “cotton” in reference to the white cotton-like color and texture of Boracay’s sand. Another version states that the name came from the two native words “bora” which means “bubbles” and “bocay” which means “white” christened by the Ati elders who were amazed at the resemblance of the white sand to water bubbles. Another story has it that the name dates back to the time when the Spaniards came ashore, pick up shells locally called “sigay” and learned that the vegetable seeds the natives were planting is locally known as “boray” and from these two words came the name “Boracay”.

The blog manilaoldtimer.net posted pictures of Boracay in 1979. “The beach has not changed that much. It is the same white sand that captivated the tourists who are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the summer days. But what had changed are the areas surrounding that famous beach. Boracay has become extremely commercialized with hotels, shopping centers and leisure places.” All our speakers in the GSTC led Forum discussed global sustainable standards known as the GSTC Criteria for public-policy makers, destination managers, hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business and destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization, legally registered in the USA as a non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. It is a virtual organization without a main office, with staff and volunteers working from all six populated continents. Financial support from donations, sponsorship and membership fees allows to provide services at low costs and to create, revise and make available the GSTC Criteria.  

For the millennials, Boracay or Bora in their language, is a party haven but for others especially for environmentalists and social activists, Bora is a nightmare. The pronouncement of President Duterte is very timely. Without political will, Bora will soon be a “pit of human waste”, an island of sin and a concrete example of environmental degradation”. In the numerous seminars, workshops and conventions I attended since the time I assumed as Provincial Tourism Officer of Isabela ten months ago, this Forum is the first for me and the first GSTC national forum in the Philippines. As the formal opening of the Ilagan-Divilacan Road connecting mainland Isabela to its coastal towns by the Pacific Ocean draws nearer, Isabeleños should be educated, trained and be ready to face the problems and issues tourism would create. We should safeguard coastal Isabela and its islets and make sure to maintain its tranquillity, natural habitat and beauty and would not be the next party-island Bora.