Typhoon Urduja Left in the Philippines like this

Sharing the sad events that unfolded in Boracay recently during the onslaught of Typhoon Urduja.

It is not the destruction brought by the typhoon that I find troubling, it is the incapacity of Boracay’s infrastructure to handle the amount of rain that the island experienced.

As I’ve pointed out in previous posts and comments, the island has experienced numerous and stronger typhoons before- but never did we face a disaster of this magnitude. Let me summarize what Ive said in those posts....

IMO, this disaster is a reflection of how backward the development of Boracay has become. Development has gone overboard. The island and its current sewage and runoff infrastructure cannot cope up with the left and right construction and development in the island.

People will argue that it can happen anywhere. That the volume of rain was the main factor that caused this disaster. That even the mainland was not spared from the destruction brought about by the typhoon. Even developed cities in Germany recently suffered flooding.

To that I say this- we cannot compare a small island like Boracay to places like Germany or the mainland.

Boracay is not land locked, and the island’s terrain is not composed heavily of soil, but of coral rock and minerals, that is why Boracay did not suffer soil erosion or landslides like the Mainland did.

Small islands have the natural ability to disperse rain water back to the sea with efficiency, since rainwater does not need to travel far from Mountains to streams, to rivers and then plains (or flood plains where humans love to thrive and live!), and only then does rainwater exit to the sea.

Only Tsunamis, Storm Surges, King Tides, or other similar coastal anomalies are supposed to affect a small island like this.

Development in Boracay was not geared to support the natural ability of the island to ‘heal’ itself. And the current state of infrastructure cannot handle the amount of rainwater - AND SEWAGE- anymore.

We have created our own ‘Locked In’ dilemma. And now, the turn of events seems to be a self fulfilling prophecy.

Theres no point in pointing fingers anymore. It doesnt matter who approved the building permits, the substandard infrastructure, etc etc etc...theres no point in finding blame. The inevitable has happened already.

And our fear of bad press reaching international communities about the true and sad state of Boracay behind the supposed ‘best island award’ and picturesque photos we see online- well, that is going to happen now. The truth is out. Boracay is not number 1. The island is far from number one. And the whole world has witnessed this fact.

I believe more than anything that this event ushers forth the opportunity to regain control of the island. This should be the catalyst for the change we have been wanting.

Its time we took control and show everyone that we will not tolerate the rape and abuse of the island anymore. That our current island leaders will do whatever it takes to set things right.

If the national government, the Governor, his council, or whoever wont be part of this revolution- then so be it. Lets do it ourselves. This is OUR HOME. We should start fighting for it! Lets start NOT GIVING A DAMN about what they think, say, or do (or not do)...and start GIVINING A DAMN about whats best for us in Boracay!

Together, as an island, as ONE, no one can stop us from doing what we have to do to preserve what we have and restore what was lost!

No military, no government, no God Dammned influential and big businessman, NO ONE can stop us from doing what we need to do to fix our HOME!

It will have a huge impact on us, but I hope this call to action reaches as much attention as possible. The island needs a HARD RESET already. And if that means losing guests or tourists- then so be it! If thats what it takes to rebuild our island! Sacrifices are needed to be made if we really want to fix our island home. And we should all deal with those sacrifices TOGETHER. As family! As and Island!

I am a ‘Dayo’, someone who was not born in Boracay but chose to live here. I love this island so much, and I chose to bring my family and raise my children here.

Boracay is beautiful not just because of our white sand beaches...but because of the amazing people here that took me in and treated me like family. And I know Boracay is capable of so much more. SO SO MUCH. That is why I ask each and everyone to please rise up and fight for Boracay! This is our home! This island is for our children’s future!

Fight for Boracay!!

#FightForBoracay
#FightForPhilippines

Photo is Mine

-iamjeydii