Over 800 sinkholes found in Boracay — DENR-MGB

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has warned of possible dangers to infrastructure on Boracay Island after more than 800 sinkholes were found in the popular tourist destination, according to Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

A study of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), a line agency of the DENR, in Western Visayas showed there are 815 sinkholes in the three barangays in Boracay — a jump from the 789 monitored in 2018.

Sinkholes usually occur in areas where the rock below the land surface is made of limestone and that this may be triggered by earthquakes or due to the draining of the groundwater.

The DENR said it is critical to maintain the island’s carrying capacity of 6,000 people daily.

For its part, the local government unit (LGU) of Malay, Aklan was surprised with the result of the study, saying it did not receive such data during the six-month rehabilitation project of Boracay in 2018.

“Gaano ba kalaki ang mga sinkhole na 'yan? Makakaapekto ba? Kasi matagal na 'yung mga structure diyan. Never akong may narinig na report ever since, na mayroon sa Boracay...mayroong nag-crack dahil nga sa sinkhole,” said Malay, Aklan Mayor Floribar Bautista.

(Just how big are those sinkholes? Will they affect us? Because the infrastructure has been there for so long. Also, I never heard a report of an establishment that developed cracks because of the sinkhole.)

Bautista also said the LGU adheres to the construction standards such as the banning of high-rise establishments on the island. They are also keen on maintaining Boracay’s carrying capacity and are even considering relocating the residents to a housing project on the mainland.

“Doon na sila manirahan. Kung halimabwa, bawas tayo ng let's say 3,000 to 5000 na mga maninirahan sa Boracay na nagre-renta ng bahay...ang kapalit niyan ay 5,000 tourists din,” he said.

(They can live there. For example, if we relocated 3,000 to 5,000 residents, we could accommodate 5,000 tourists.)

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said she would defer her comment to the DENR as they wait for a copy of the official report on the issue.

“I’d like to defer my statement on that first to the DENR as well as the MGB as we await an official report from our regional office of the DOT,” said Frasco. -- Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News