Senator Joel Villanueva has expressed his concerns on the haste to close Boracay island for six months effective April 26.
Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development, said that the government should put in place first a concrete plan for the workers who will be affected by the shutdown.
“It is unfortunate that the rehabilitation plan and livelihood interventions for the workers has not been clearly set in motion first before the closure of Boracay,” the legislator said.
“Mahirap at kumplikado dahil nasa drafting stage pa ang guidelines on Boracay shutdown. At any rate, we hope that all stakeholders are being consulted, there are clear accountabilities and timelines for the deliverables,” the lawmaker added.
At any rate, we hope that all stakeholders are being consulted, there are clear accountabilities and timelines for the deliverables.
The senator from Valenzuela said that different government agencies should already be implementing their interventions at this stage to cushion the effects of the shutdown.
“Hindi sapat ang calamity funds para matugunan ang lahat ng problemang haharapin ng ating mga manggagawa at ang kanilang mga pamilya dahil sa Boracay shutdown. Kailangan maglaan tayo ng pondo para dito,” he stressed.
Villanueva further lamented that about 36,000 workers could lose jobs and PhP 56 billion input in the economy will be lost.
“Regardless of the length of shutdown, there is a disruption on livelihood,” he said.
“Susi sa epektibo at sustainable na rehabilitasyon ang malawakang partisipasyon ng lahat ng stakeholders sa isla upang masiguradong hindi na hahantong sa ganitong sitwasyon muli ang Boracay,” Villanueva concluded.