By Explained PH - Aklan
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| Photo: Maharlika TV |
As the local leaders of Aklan stand to oppose the revival of the bill to form Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA), Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas expresses his support towards the opposition of the said bill.
The BIDA Bill proposes to form a government-owned and controlled corporation, to be known as BIDA, which will be tasked to manage, develop, operate, and preserve the entirety of Boracay Island and surrounding islets including Barangay Caticlan.
But Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. asserts that the creation of the corporate entity could diminish mandated powers for the local government authority which goes against The Philippine Constitution upholding local government autonomy.
The Iloilo City Mayor believes in the capabilities and able management of the Aklanon leaders and its locals when it comes to the development of Boracay Island.
As Treñas explains, "I am one with them that the local governments should have autonomy as enshrined in our Constitution and the Local Government Code."
The bill was previously approved by the House of Representatives on its third reading; however it did not pass the Senate.
The bill was then revived and refiled by Camarines Sur representatives LRay Villafuerte; Migz Villafuerte; Hori Horibata; and Rep. Nick Enciso of the Bicol Saro party-list, but was then withdrawn last Aug. 3.
In light of this, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members of Aklan filed a resolution last Aug. 8 declaring the four authors of the BIDA Bill revival as persona non grata in the province.