PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte plans to put Boracay under a state of calamity in order to address environmental problems in the world-famous tourist destination. “I told [Department of the Interior and Local Government] Secretary Eduardo Año] to finish [the clean-up that I had recommended]in six months. Six months, end the problem in Boracay. Now, I know it [will be hard]and that is why I would be declaring a state of calamity [there],” Duterte said during oath-taking of members of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday night. Duterte added that he would justify the declaration by highlighting that the pollution problem on the island is already affecting the public interest, public safety and public health.

Source: Manila Times March 07, 2018 16:07 UTC