The DOT has partnered with other concerned
government agencies, most notably the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and
the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), to address the existing issues on tourism in order
to promote a paradigm shift towards sustainability.
Cited by Romulo-Puyat as “the country’s icon for
sustainable tourism,” the recently-rehabilitated Boracay
Island best highlights how the DOT, DENR, and DILG intend
to go about with their pursuit of sustainable tourism.
The six-month rehabilitation plan took place in four
phases, beginning with law enforcement and regulation.
Then Boracay was closed off from tourists for half a
year and establishments on the island requested to halt
operations so as to focus on the second and third phases:
pollution prevention and control, and rehabilitation of the
damaged ecosystem.
Like a lost paradise reborn, Boracay Island was reopened
later in 2018, supervised to ensure that the fourth phase—
resumption of island activities strictly adhering to the
objectives of the first three phases—is maintained.
The three agencies and other concerned bodies plan
to use Boracay as a benchmark for future rehabilitation
initiatives in other popular destinations such as El Nido in
Palawan, Panglao in Bohol, Manila Bay, and soon Siargao
in Surigao del Norte. These are just some of the many
plans that the DOT has in store in relation to the pursuit
of sustainability.
Romulo-Puyat also assures that DOT-accredited
tourist destinations are already empowered to alleviate
the problem of plastic waste. The department highly
encouraged them to adopt sustainability in ways such as
the use of energy-efficient lighting, water conservation, and
avoidance of plastic sachets for host-provided toiletries.
And they have agreed to this.
“In developing our tourism industry, we must strike
a balance between economic opportunities and
social responsibilities. We must ensure that any
development in the tourism industry must not be
undertaken at the expense of the environment, the
tourists, and the host communities”
—Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat
Above all else, Romulo-Puyat emphasises the
involvement of the community in any and all
rehabilitation efforts undertaken. Romulo-Puyat cites
the case of the Manila Bay clean-up drive where ordinary
citizens were fielded as volunteers. Both compliance
to laws and physical participation in activities of the
community will greatly help the rehabilitation task force
(DOT, DENR, and DILG).
“We hope that such activities would enlighten our
citizens on the importance of environmental conservation,
as well as the gains that may be derived from preserving
our tourist destinations,” the Tourism Secretary remarks.
All citizens could also help protect and preserve the
environment through simple ways. Romulo-Puyat noted
that becoming responsible tourists and “supporting
establishments or attractions that espouse the culture
of sustainability” are sure ways to adopt the advocacy.
Investing on reusable items such as refillable tumblers
and eco bags is also widely encouraged today in fighting
the battle against single-use plastics.
Romulo-Puyat’s last advice is to “simply abide by
national and local policies,” which is perhaps the easiest
in theory but arguably harder to implement as well as
follow. “By doing so, we contribute to ensuring that our
destinations are clean, safe, and will still be enjoyed by the
future generations.”
On the other hand, Aguilar commends independently-
founded groups and civilian citizens who exhaust their
available means, particularly social media platforms, in
speaking up about the cause and holding corporations
accountable. “If they utilise their own social media personal
accounts to call out, if there’s a big movement of people
calling out corporations for their contribution to plastic
pollution, I think that’s a big step. I doubt that corporations
will simply dismiss a strong, collective call for action.”philippine tatler. august 2019 153