MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is not expected to visit the world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan anytime soon following its reopening to local tourism on Oct. 1 after almost six months.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the President is “very busy” tending to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic but is hoping to visit the island soon to boost its tourism industry.
“It’s abnormal times, but I’m sure he would love to visit Boracay as well. Right now, he’s actually very busy in Malago [Clubhouse in Malacañang] nowadays, so I don’t think a visit to Boracay in the near future could happen,” Roque said.
But a visit should not be discounted, he stressed, “because it’s important to encourage people to assist our tourism industry.”
President Duterte previously planned to visit the Boracay Island to join efforts in lifting the public’s mood to travel around the Philippines but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boracay Island has reopened to tourists from across the country on Thursday last week after initially welcoming only travelers from Western Visayas.
Those who want to visit Boracay need a negative coronavirus test result 48 hours before their trip.
They also need to register online, the tourism department earlier said.
Boracay tourists should also wear facemasks “all the time” and observe physical distancing.
Should any of the guests show symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited hotels each have a designated health and safety officer who will alert the Boracay COVID hotline number 152.
Around 204 hotels with a combined 4,474 rooms are so far allowed to operate under Boracay’s new normal.
“We urge our visitors to be responsible tourists. Follow the guidelines. Respect the rules. We can never be too complacent, even on vacation. We must adhere to the minimum health protocols. Let’s wear our masks when possible,” said DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat./PN
