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Local Lens: Why No To Bida Gocc 

By Gil delos Santos

Respect to our native Boracaynon's right to be consulted was missed by the authors of the BIDA GOCC (Boracay Island Development Authority - Government Owned and Controlled Corporation). We view this as a sign of disrespect to the community who steward and look after the island decades after decades since the time of our forefathers. 

If they can't knock our door before entering or without our acknowledgment, we consider them intruders. If our peace is intruded, we could be compromised. This scenario won't be allowed in Boracay. 

We just hope that our government leaders recognize and respect the authenticity of our lineage's existence in Boracay. 

There is the ATI community who is recognized as the only IP group in the island. We also co-exist with them eversince. We believe to have equal rights with them in as far as the right for peace and human welfare are concerned in the same land they dwell in. It is only that other Boracaynons are not tribe based – which is the NCIP's criteria for indigenous recognition. 

We present this angle as our plea to be regarded the same as a whole with our IP cohabitants - how they are respected and considered when their ancestral domain, its peace; its living traditions and practices will be at stake or compromised.

We challenge the authors of this bill to come down to the ground and present to us the good intentions for our nativeland. Otherwise we will not welcome disrespect. Please knock before coming in if you don't want Boracaynons to treat you as a snake stealth-ly trying to sneak in to eat us and take over our territory.

ON THE SECTORS OR INDIVUDUALS KEEPING SILENCE – They should be trying to appear as Boracaynons, if not, looking concerned to Boracay but only enjoy the benefit of business that Boracay provides. These are capitalists and their cohorts who support hype tourism that only worship business profit. 

When Boracay fails in time in case, we believe that these opportunists will just leave the island behind taking their own businesses with them, then we Boracaynons clean up their mess and pick the pieces up to stand again.

Or they are part of the network behind the planned take over in the face of BIDA GOCC, who will benefit the privileges of power and money.

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