16th August, 2007

Worsening flooding poses health hazards

To find solutions to the flooding in Boracay is a main objective of the Boracay Chamber, BCCI, since it was founded. In many meetings, in many newsletters and in many letters to government agencies,  BCCI was and is constantly lobbying and networking for a fast and viable solution. In August 2006 the GM of the Philippine Tourism Authority, PTA, introduced the ’PTA drainage project”, which offered a solution to the flooding problem. Today flooding has become worse, it threatens the health of residents and visitors alike and there is no fast solution in sight. 

In the first half of July and in the first half of August 2007, Boracay Island experienced unprecedented flooding, brought by monsoon rains induced by passing storms. Most of the old rain water catch basins in the center of the island are either filled up, built on or getting smaller by the day. One of this catch basins is the pond across the main road from Budget Mart/D’Mall, where the office of the Regional Director of the Environmental Management Bureau, EMB, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DENR, Region 6 conducted an investigation and released its report. BCCI also investigated the rise of Dengue fever on the island, which troubles the municipal health office and the OIC of the Boracay emergency hospital a lot. BCCI asked congressman Joben Miraflores, Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Mayor Ceciron Cawaling how they could help solve flooding on the island on a temporary, but immediate solution, without waiting for completion of the PTA drainage project, which is still  far away.

Who is in charge? 

End of June 2007 the EMB DENR organized a round table discussion to look into “the alleged encroachment/occupation within a natural lagoon located at the Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan”. The complete report was submitted to PTA GM Dean S. Barbers (complete report available at BCCI office) on July 16, 2007. The report points out, that it is the responsibility of PTA to implement and recommend a moratorium on issuance of building permits and formulate zoning regulations, among others. Quote: “Considering that the Government still owned the untitled areas of Boracay Island, pending the decision of the court, the management of the lagoon, as recommended in the CSW, shall be turned-over to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) since per Memorandum Order No. 214 they are mandated to exercise administration and control over Boracay.

Specifically under Section 5 (D) of PD 384, the PTA is task to formulate and implement zoning regulations including building codes, hotel standards and other restrictions as maybe necessary within a tourist zone to control its orderly development, to preserve such historical, cultural and/or natural assets or relics giving the zone its tourism value and significance and to assure adherence to approved development plans.

By virtue of the above laws and regulations, PTA can legally manage and control the development of the lagoon within Boracay Island.

Hence, it is recommended that PTA declares a moratorium of issuance of permits and clearances including tax declarations and endorsement until the determination of wether this is a natural body of water or a ricefield.

Further, it is recommended that PTA shall formulate and implement zoning regulations including building codes and other restrictions in the development of the body of water”.

Temporary measures to ease flooding 

After the big flooding in July 2007, BCCI wrote letters to congressman Joben Miraflores, to governor Lito Marquez and Mayor Ceciron Cawaling pointing to the worsening flooding situation on the island and asking all of them the same question: “What can your office do to remedy this situation immediately, eventually declaring an emergency and installing temporary drainage ways for flooded areas, without relying on others”?

Congressman Miraflores answered on August 1, 2007. Quote: “I believe that long term solutions are required to remedy this situation; hence, I am working towards fast-tracking the full implementation of the BEIP-Drainage system. However, in order to accomplish this, I need the help of your association in convincing your concerned members to cooperate with the government in providing right-of-way for the drainage systems and site for the pumping stations.

Declaring an emergency and installing temporary drainage systems and pumping equipment are both laudable moves. However, for it to be successful, both require support of all the stakeholders of Boracay. While I am a member of the legislative Department, my office is willing to assist in the implementation of these moves”. 

Congressman Miraflores furthermore suggested for the NGOs and associations on the island to lobby with the LGU for their “immediate and proper action, particularly the need to require building owners to unclog drainage channels that they have filled up”.

Governor Carlito S. Marquez writes in his answer “You got it very right. Drainage channels clogged and obstructed. You had only worded it differently but this I had known since 2004 when, upon assumption of office, I had visited the island and saw waterways and natural impounding basins filled up and closed due to uncontrolled construction.

The storm drainage system under construction by the PTA with an initial funding of P90 Million and another P30 Million till completion will solve this flooding problem”. Governor Marquez also pointed out that he will send a medial and technical team to the island to look into health hazards posed by flooding.

Health Concerns 

While the flooding makes life miserable for many residents and establishments, there is also an increasing health hazard created by the longer staying and often contaminated flooding, especially in the densely populated and low lying central part of Boracay: it is an ideal breeding ground for all kind of mosquitoes, bacteria and other harmful bugs. Add to that the many illegal mini-dumpsites and a general careless attitude towards proper garbage disposal and cleanliness. All of these are perfect conditions for diseases, which could also threaten Boracay's only industry: tourism. It is impossible to get reliable data, as there are no facilities to check the blood of patients for Dengue. BCCI General Secretary Lyzzelle Ceralde filed this report, which we print here to raise awareness:

Dengue is a virus spread by mosquitos belonging to the Aedes family. These are mosquitoes that live in your houses and fly during the day between early morning and late afternoon. They thrive in overcrowded or congested urban centers or commercialized places and where poor sanitation and waste disposal is a problem. Dengue Fever is similar to flu or “trangkaso” which is why many people, like here in Boracay, disregard the symptoms and continue with their daily routine. Unchecked, the infection becomes worse, and the person will continue to exhibit the red flat spots, joint-pains and fever.  Left further unchecked, Dengue fever can create serious complications and become Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). By then, the patient requires immediate hospitalization and blood transfusion.

Dengue naturally occurs in the Philippines and other tropical countries. Outbreaks and epidemics have been occurring on a more or less regular basis since the 1950s and it has become more prevalent in recent years. As this is a virus, no amount of antibiotics can cure it. The best one can do is to sit out the infection in a hospital and be closely monitored by a series of blood tests administered on a serial basis. Paracetamol is given to control the fever. Aspirin is not recommended as pain reliever, as it can complicate the sickness. Plenty of bed rest and plenty water to drink are needed for a full recovery.

In Boracay, news of residents and of tourists contracting Dengue have been increasing and many people especially local government, and businesses alike are starting to worry that this would drive away the tourists from this international leisure destination. Dr. Michelle Depakakibo, OIC of the Boracay Island Emergency Hospital confirms “suspect” cases of dengue among many residents and reports of foreign tourists contracting the virus have also been circulated around the island, but these could not be considered an outbreak or epidemic as it is still well below outbreak levels. Dengue occurs most often during the rainy season and with prevailing stagnant water.

On August 10, 2007, representatives from the Department of Health Communicable Disease Control Service Region VI headed by Dr. Glen Alosabe, Regional Epidemiologist and Dr. Fabian Mabasa, Dengue Coordinator, conducted a briefing on the DOH 4S Anti-Dengue Campaign. The briefing was attended by various sectors of Boracay including the DepEd and representatives from the private school sector, NGOs like the BCCI and BFI, LGU representatives and MHO Team headed by Dr. Adrian Salaver who arranged for the meeting to be conducted here in Boracay.

Dr. Adrian Salaver, Municipal Health Officer for Malay, confirmed the presence of the Aedes eagypti species of mosquito in the island. This was further validated by the DOH Region VI Team during an inspection conducted on suspected breeding sites around the island.

The LGU has requested for assistance on Dengue problem. Region 6 has one of the highest cases of Dengue incidence as of the moment. For Boracay, there is also high incidence due to the high density of people living per square meter and the high level of urbanization of the island and as well the many garbage disposed carelessly.