Development should always consider the environment for it to be sustainable. This was the observation given by a stakeholder in Panglao arising from concerns that development might be stressful to the environment. The stakeholder talked freely on condition that he will not be named. “Except for a few resorts that religiously abide by existing laws, there is enough reason to be concerned about the development that is going on in Panglao,” the source said. He agreed with the observation given in a story last week that the violation of the 20-meter salvage zone would be a test case for the new administration. “The previous administrations were not serious in implementing this law resulting in violations in many resorts,” the source noted. He said that instead of gradually pulling back towards full compliance of this law, there seems to be no indication on the part of the resort owners to take the right moves.

“These owners go about as though they have done nothing wrong and in fact act as though they are the custodians of the environment,” the source added. He made it clear that he is not opposed to the town's development as a tourism destination. “The point is that development concerns should be balanced with the preservation of the environment,” he added. The source stressed that environment concern does not mean there will be no development at all. “There is no such thing as complete abstinence from environmental harm,” he noted.  The source pointed out that for every comfort that humans enjoy, there is a corresponding stress on the environment. “We burn fuel when we drive our cars, we cut down trees when we build homes, we dig mines when we need minerals and kill animals, fish and plants for food,” he noted. There is no way to evade environmental impact in nearly every aspect of human life.   “The point is to strike a balance,” he noted.

The source lamented that while some resort owners oppose the entry of new players, their track records do not exactly prove environmental concern. At the same time, the source said these resort owners fake concern for fishermen whose livelihood are affected by the sprouting of new businesses in the area.   “Try to see if they allow fishermen to set foot on their resorts, much more fish in their traditional fishing grounds,” he added. Resort owners have barred fishermen from gathering shells in front of their resorts during ebb tide in, denying them access to the shoreline in their properties. At the same time, fishermen have complained that they can no longer dock in many resorts to unload their catch like they use to do. And yet, he noted that these same resort owners are trying to use the fishermen's plight to go after business rivals. “Before they can even accuse potential rivals, they should first try cleaning their own mess,” he added. The stakeholder said that there is room for more development in Panglao for as long as there is equitable and sustainable resource management. “There should be a sincere and wider participation from all sectors instead of allowing just a handful of resort owners who are themselves liable for violations of the salvage zone,” he added.  The source said that unless the new administration successfully implements compliance of the 20-meter easement, expression of environmental concern is only lip service.