Hundreds of families asked to vacate homes in Boracay wetland

MALAY, Aklan - Hundreds of families living on a wetland in Boracay for at least two decades have been asked to leave their homes, as the government continues to rehabilitate the island. 

Cagban Bubon, now home to hundreds of families, was identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a wetland, which is important in preventing floods.

Residents in this wetland have already been given notices to vacate. They only have a few days before they will be forced out of their homes.

They are now appealing for the government to find a resettlement area for them, preferably in Caticlan so they can still resume their livelihood. They said they have no other place to go.

The residents said they were not properly educated about the wetland and its purpose, and their forefathers have told them they can put up their homes in Cagban Bubon.

The DENR said Boracay has 16 forest lands and 9 wetlands, but most of these areas have been occupied by either business establishments or illegal settlers.

Meanwhile the Department of Public Works and Highways continues to demolish establishments along the main road of Boracay. Trees and other obstructions were removed to give way to the road-widening project. 

The 6-month closure of Boracay began last April 26 to make way for the rehabilitation of the country's most popular tourist island.