KIWANIS CLUB OF BORACAY
Open letter to Hon. Secretary Robert Aventajado of Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and to Hon. Chairman Jejomar Binay of the MMDA
We, the members of the Kiwanis Club of Boracay, have been watching your move regarding your plan to dump your garbage in our neighborhood. We are fully aware and have been praying that you might listen to the outcry of some concerned groups from both Antique and Boracay. Now it seems adamant and inevitable on your part to push thru with your decision.
Semirara Island is just some 40 kilometers away from us. There was even a time when we were alarmed of that cement-like debris which drifted our shores of Boracay. It was believed to have originated from mining activity in Semirara. We have enough problems of our own. We still bear the scar inflicted by that irresponsible statement of the former head of the DENR regarding the coliform issue. We just cannot afford to put into risk our very own lives, the lives of future generations and this God-made paradise, the Philippine jewel of tourism. We have worked hard to make this island what it is today and are deeply frustrated by your move to threaten this with hundred of tons of garbage, much of it toxic. You have been to Boracay yourself and surely can attest to that. To dump Metro Manila’s garbage in one of the last environmentally intact regions of this country with a very good potential for future tourism development, which will enhance the economic lives of hundreds of thousands of people is very, very shortsighted.
With all due respect sirs, we reiterate the statements made by the other groups, that we oppose and abhor your plan to dump your garbage in Semirara Island. Surely, there must be a better way to address your problem of garbage. There maybe no better place for it but surely not in our own backyard. Our Club is committed for the improvement of lives of the people especially that of the children. We fear for their health and their future, if this project pushes through.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat sa ngalan ng Diyos at ng Kalikasan!
For and in behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Boracay,
Lara A. Salaver
Club President
List and signatures of officers and members is on a separate page.
cc: Sec. Gemma Cruz-Araneta
Sec. Antnio Cerelis
LGU-Malay
Gov. Miraflores
Gov. Plameras
LGU Semirara
BFI
File
Date: December 29, 2000
