Atienza to meet with Boracay property owners in wake of SC ruling

MANILA, Philippines — Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. will meet with property owners in Boracay Island to address their concerns in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling declaring the island as government property. Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that Atienza initially assured property owners with land titles their lots will not be affected by the ruling. "Title holders are not covered by the Supreme Court ruling and we will respect that," he said. He said he will meet with stakeholders in Boracay to discuss the impact of the court ruling and how the DENR will proceed with the titling of lots. "We will be very careful not to cause serious economic dislocation to occupants who have developed their properties legitimately," said Atienza. He added this includes most areas along the famous white beach. Last week, the high court upheld Presidential Proclamation 1064, issued by President Arroyo last May 22. The proclamation categorized more than half of the 1,000-hectare island as alienable and disposable. But Atienza said claimants who have been occupying areas categorized as forest lands, wetlands and no-build zones "have something to worry about." He said the ruling would provide government better control over development projects on the island which is already suffering from unregulated construction of structures. "We want to correct injustice on the part of everyone. We also want to legalize the tenure of ownership of legitimate investors," he said. The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-Boracay) earlier welcomed the ruling saying it opened areas categorized as alienable and disposable to titling. "The Supreme Court has recognized the right of these land owners to apply for the titling of their properties in accordance with the existing laws," the group said. - GMANews.TV