MANILA – “I am proud to say that Boracay Island has been restored close to its original, pristine state,” President Rodrigo Duterte declared in his fourth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa yesterday with senators, congressmen, the diplomatic corps, and government officials in attendance.
Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay in Malay, Aklan from April to October last year for a massive rehabilitation.
“Equipped with political will, we cleaned and rehabilitated Boracay in six months,” said Duterte.
He plans to do the same in other environmentally-challenged tourist spots.
“Boracay Island is just the beginning,” said the President.
Prior to closing Boracay, Duterte called the country’s top tourist destination a cesspool, citing its untreated wastewater and poor garbage management, among others.
The President also boasted that he had agricultural lands in Boracay distributed to the Ati indigenous people there, the original inhabitants of the island.
“There are those who violate environmental rules and regulations. I am giving them due notice,” Duterte said. “To local government units and other stakeholders of tourist destinations, take extra steps in the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our environment.”
Now, the entry of tourists to Boracay is regulated. They could not simply come in as they wish.
Before entering Boracay tourists are required to present reservations slips or proof of bookings in accommodation establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“No booking, no entry” is the policy to regulate the entry of tourists.
The interagency task force for Boracay’s rehabilitation chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also urged the public not to transact with establishments that have not yet secured the necessary clearances, permits and/or accreditation from the DOT, DENR and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Non-compliant establishments soliciting and/or accepting booking reservations (despite the lack of clearance to open) may be subjected to civil suits for deception.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are no longer allowed along the White Beach. Diving in waters surrounding island is temporarily prohibited.
All water sports and water activities are also temporarily suspended.
Dining by the beach and installation of electric lights on the beachfront is prohibited while fireworks displays are allowed only until 9 p.m.
The famous sandcastle-making in the beachfront is also regulated.
Souvenir shops and hawkers along beachfront are now banned and fire dancing that uses kerosene is disallowed.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has been tasked as sole regulator of Boracay’s water lines.
Also, hotels not connected to the island’s sewarage system or do not have their own water treatment facilities won’t be allowed to reopen./PN
