Palace: Boracay closure after ‘peak season’
ILOILO City – President Rodrigo Duterte may soon order the temporary closure of Boracay to rehabilitate the world-famous island resort but the closure won’t happen this summer season, according to Malacañang.
The shutdown will likely happen during the lean season or months when the tourist volume in Boracay is not so heavy, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque yesterday.
The summer months are the “peak season” or period when tourist arrivals in the island is high.
“Proceed to Boracay, especially since it’s Holy Week,” said Roque.
The Holy Week is next week. Annually during this period, tourists pack Boracay.
“I don’t think any closure will happen during the peak season of Boracay,” said Roque.
During a League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) event on Tuesday night, Duterte said he was informed by Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año that it would “take a little bit longer” to finish Boracay’s rehabilitation.
“He told me it will take about something like six months. I told him ‘then do it,’” Duterte said in his speech during the LMP General Assembly at the Manila Hotel.
Duterte said he directed Año to “just make the recommendation” where the Chief Executive would base his decision on the proposed Boracay shutdown.
“I told him, General, you are there, I place you there. Whatever is your decision I will support you,” Duterte said, recalling his Monday night’s conversation with Año, the head of the interagency task force for Boracay’s rehabilitation.
Duterte previously warned uncooperative local officials he would charge them with negligence or even sedition and appealed to the courts not to issue a temporary restraining order so as not to exacerbate the problems in Boracay.
Roque said the President would be fair in his decision based on the interagency task force’s recommendations.
The task force earlier recommended a total closure of the resort island but Roque clarified the shutdown will not be permanent.
Duterte described Boracay as a “cesspool” due to sewage and garbage problems destroying the island’s ecosystem and endangering the health of visitors.
Roque said the closure of Boracay after the peak season should minimize its impact on the tourism sector.
He also reminded business developers on the island as regards the moratorium on making further improvements in their establishments.
“Whatever happens to Boracay, what’s imperative now is to lay down expanded infrastructure for both drainage and sewage treatment facilities,” said Roque.
Earlier in the day, stakeholders – which included the Philippine Tour Operators Association, Philippine Travel Agencies Association, Tourism Congress Association of the Philippines, and Boracay Foundation – said the impending closure of the prime tourist destination may result in at least P56 billion in foregone revenues and render 36,000 people jobless.
They sought ample time to prepare for the closure of the island resort. (With reports from Philippine News Agency and GMA News/PN)
