An eminent environmental watchdog cautions government about proceeding with projects without the necessary environmental clearance certificates (ECC).

“They should go through the process and not resort to shortcuts at the expense of our people and the environment,” reminded Birosel.

Birosel cited the Caticlan runway extension project in Aklan as an example saying that government agencies like the Department of Tourism (DoT), Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have announced deadlines for the project’s completion when the provincial government itself is opposing the project for lack of the necessary environmental clearance to proceed.

The CAAP claims to have an ECC already but Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez doubts this citing a DENR ruling in 2006 in favor of the Aklan provincial government which in effect prohibits removal of the hill at the end of the runway of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan.

The governor believes that it is more beneficial to complete development of Kalibo because it can be targeted to handle widebody aircraft like the A330 and bigger. Caticlan in its full development can only handle the A320 or B737 or its equivalent.

The extension of the runway and the influx of regional flights may aggravate the environmental problems because of Boracay’s small size and carrying capacity.

“We support Gov. Marquez call for an environmental impact assessment to be conducted first before the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA) approves the build-operate transfer (BoT) project,” said Birosel adding that, “doing otherwise can cause irreversible environmental degradation to a primary tourist attraction like Boracay.”

Birosel claims that people of Aklan are still reeling from the effects of the flashflood which hit Kalibo last year saying it was unprecedented and that it should serve as a lesson not only to government but also private business that we should always be guided by sustainable development over profit-driven motives.

“Otherwise, it is always the locals who lose in the end,” warned Birosel.