BORACAY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Caticlan Office has observed a sharp drop in the volume of boat passengers going to this island resort this month.
The Caticlan and Tabon ports in mainland Malay, Aklan collectively received 6,385 tourists from Dec. 1 to December 19. In previous years, Caticlan port alone would see over 150,000 visitors during the holiday season.
The shrinking of passenger volume this month was about 95 percent. PCG cited the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic as reason.
But this situation is not unique to Boracay. The softening demand for travel is consistent with what the tourism and travel industry as a whole is experiencing. As tourism slowed to a pandemic-induced halt, the coastguard has put more emphasis on traveller safety.
Public safety is important at this point for visitors and residents. They are reminded to follow all travel restrictions and guidelines outlined by health authorities in Malay town which has jurisdiction over Boracay.
PCG personnel have been enforcing basic health protocols prior to departure of visitors to Boracay Island or mainland Malay as well as coastal security patrol operations along the shorelines to encourage safety awareness to small fisher folks in Malay, Aklan.
“We continue to require travellers to wear facemasks and face shields, and use disinfectant in public transport,” said PCG-Caticlan Chief Petty Officer Jackie Lou.
Malay acting town mayor Frolibar Bautista also issued Executive Order No. 56 on Dec. 21 requiring all residents and tourists to wear full-coverage face shields together with their facemasks whenever they go out of their homes and hotels./PN
