Dauin Mayor Rodrigo Alanano said yesterday that the existence of the Protected Area Management Board in Apo Island is useless because it did not implement any development projects for the people there.

The renowned diving site is being managed by the PAMB, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The revenues collected from Apo Island goes directly to the national coffers, Alanano said.

He said the total collection of diving fees in Apo Island last year reached P5 million.

But the mayors lament that, "Not a single centavo of this amount went to the coffers of Dauin."

All development projects in Apo Island are through the efforts of the province of Oriental Negros through Gov. George Arnaiz and the local government of Dauin, Alanano said, adding that the income of Apo Island should be placed in the coffers of Dauin since it implements the projects. Complaints on the management of Apo Island have been presented to the DENR national office but until now the problem has not been resolved.

Alanano said he is still hoping for a change in the management of Apo Island.

The island now has a solar energy system and a desalinization plant for potable water supply of residents. A secondary school was also built in Apo Island last year.

The island has an estimated population of 700 based on a recent census.*MA

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