Business tycoon Lucio Tan has offered to build a second drainage system in the island of Boracay, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has said.
According to Roque, Tan has sent a letter to the concerned agencies regarding his proposal.
鈥淣oong dalawang araw na nakakalipas pa lamang, may isang letter galing po kay Lucio Tan, dahil meron naman siyang Boracay 2B doon. Nagsu-supply siya ng tubig pero wala siyang sewerage system. Ang sabi niya siya ang gagawa ng drainage,鈥� Roque said in an interview with DZMM on Sunday.
Roque said Tan鈥檚 proposed drainage system would also connect to a wastewater treatment.
鈥淎t yung drainage naman pupunta siya sa wastewater treatment. So ibig sabihin, tubig ulan, discharge ng kung kani-kanino, mate-treat na siya, hindi na deretso sa lawa ang labas,鈥� the Palace official noted.
Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said they have already asked Tan to provide them more details about his proposal.
Aside from the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc., Tan also supplies water to the island through Boracay 2B.
President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier likened the world-famous tourist to a 鈥渃esspool,鈥� prompting the creation of an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of the island.
A government panel, comprising of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism, has recommended the total closure of the world-renowned tropical island for six months beginning April 26.
READ: Gov鈥檛 panel recommends 6-month total closure of Boracay from April 26
The recommendation is subject to Mr. Duterte鈥檚 approval.
Previously, Tan had earned the ire of Duterte over the P6 billion tax liabilities of Philippine Airlines (PAL), owned by the business magnate.
READ: Duterte to Lucio Tan: Pay PAL arrears or I鈥檒l shut down Naia Terminal 2
Tan has since settled PAL鈥檚 liabilities.
Duterte late cleared the businessman for the tax liabilities, and even said he would 鈥渇orever shut up鈥� on the matter.
READ: Duterte to Lucio Tan: 鈥業鈥檓 going to forever shut up鈥� on past tax liabilities
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Duterte鈥檚 remarks came after Tan offered an additional plane to fly home repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from Kuwait.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 /kga