Sustainable development

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Among this country's beaches and tourist attractions, Boracay is undoubtedly one of the most famous for its beauty but, unfortunately, also holds the distinction of being the country's most notorious example of the many dangers of unregulated development.

The recent news of flooding that has affected major portions of the island, which, according to a business owner, made the middle part of the island smell like an open sewer, is simply another warning sign that if left unheeded, could lead to the eventual ruin of Boracay's natural beauty, which is its main attraction. Aside from flooding, this overdeveloped island paradise has had to deal with problems with coliform bacteria in its swimming waters, and is still currently dealing with a freshwater, as well as a wastewater problem; which are among the most visible signs that the island's natural resources and capacity to sustain such massive waves of human activity that steadily increase with each passing year; are being stretched to the breaking point.

And still, even when faced with that tangible threat to the proverbial goose that lays the golden eggs, construction and development still continue at a breakneck rate despite the DENR's suspension of new construction projects in the island. The construction continues because the resort developers, both small and big, along with the local government officials, have obviously chosen to conveniently ignore the obvious warning signs and will most likely continue to strike while the iron is hot.

If the resort owners and the local and national government officials do not join hands and make the protection of the environment and natural beauty of Boracay a priority, the word “Boracay” may soon become a catchphrase of what can happen to natural beauty if the concern for sustainable development takes a backseat to greed and shortsightedness. We hope that the caretakers of other beaches and natural attractions of this country take their cue from Boracay and ensure that any kind of development is tempered a desire to preserve the natural beauty that is the primary reason why the place is so attractive to tourists in the first place.*