Boracay humanitarian mission blocked anew

A Department of Public Works and worker destroys a concrete wall that will be covered by a road widening project that aims to solve traffic congestion in Boracay Island. DENR/TWITTER

BORACAY – At least 16 people on a one-day humanitarian mission on Saturday were denied entry to this island resort – again.

Members of volunteer groups We Are Boracay, Rise Up Aklan and Friends of Boracay wanted to deliver aid to residents affected by the six-month closure and rehabilitation of the island.

Kim-Sin Tugna, provincial coordinator of Rise Up Aklan, criticized security officers for their “double standards.”

“We cannot understand this move to discriminate individuals who want to help the residents and workers in Boracay,” Tugna said on Saturday.

It was not the first time that members of volunteer groups were blocked from entering the island.

On June 29 police officers prohibited the entry of 29 humanitarian volunteers through the Tabon port in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

The volunteers were composed of teachers, students and scientists.

Tugna said they have secured the necessary permits to enter the island.

She added that on July 24 they got clearance from Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling to distribute 700 rice packs to residents affected by the closure.

Tugna said they were shocked that the police blocked them again.

“We are calling the attention of [the local government of] Malay and the provincial government of Aklan. Why is this happening to us?” said Tugna. “We are helping the Boracay people and yet the volunteers of our humanitarian mission are discriminated [against] without clear reasons.”

She added: “Dahil ba kritikal kami sa mga isinusulong na programa ng gobyerno?”

In a statement, We Are Boracay coordinator Olive Abanera expressed disappointment over what happened.

Abanera called it a “sabotage” and an “isolation campaign.”

Tugna also slammed the “militarization” and the presence of more than 600 police officers in the entry and exit points in the island.

Suportado namin ang rehabilitasyon as long as hindi maantala ang kabuhayan ng mga residente at workers sa isla,” Tugna said. “Itong mga pulis nag-house-to-house sa mga lideres at partners namin sa Boracay na huwag suportahan ang We are Boracay at Friends of Boracay. Dahil ba sa security concerns?”

Security protocols require nonresidents and unregistered workers to write the Boracay security committee to request entry to the island.

The letter – which must specify the purpose, activities, dates of entry and exit, venue, and names and contact numbers of people involved – must be sent to the committee three days before the planned entry.

Social welfare, outreach and other charitable activities must be also referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for recommendation./PN

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