Boracay resorts start adopting strategies to address climate change

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay –- Several resort owners here have started adopting strategies to address climate change issues and concerns.

Local climate change experts have agreed that this resort island which is considered as a premier tourist destination, is one of the areas that can he hit by the worsening problem on global warming.

Among the prevalent incidents in this resort island that can be attributed to climate change are the rise in sea level, flooding, beach erosion and occasional incidence of twister.

Businessman Chris Arenas of the Jimster Resto Bar said that he already started to voluntarily demolish his beach house in Diniwid, Boracay because it encroaches the island's beach setback of 30 meters.

"The threat of global warming and the sea level rise are factors in my decision to demolish the structure in a no build zone area," said Arenas.

Elena Brugger, environmental consultant of the local government of Malay, said that he had already started placing her firm in a higher level anticipating issues on sea level rise in the future.

"Like others, I am already aware that the climate change is real that we have to face the issue," said Brugger of Mayumi Beach Resort.

Aside from the two firms, more firms are expecting to follow in mitigating and adopting strategies on climate change in this resort island.

But despite climate change threat, more tourists are still coming to this resort island to enjoy the white sand considered as one of the top 10 best beaches in the world.