BORACAY – Boats of water transport cooperatives in this island resort will be repaired and repainted courtesy of the Tourism and Labor departments.
DOT Region 6 director Helen Catalbas said the government will give free repair and repaint services in view of the island reopening on Oct. 26.
“We want that during the Boracay reopening, all water transport [cooperatives] that cater to tourists are presentable,” said Catalbas.
“It’s like a new beginning not only for Boracay but also all services being offered. We want to give the tourists better service, accommodation and tourist experience,” she added.
Catalbas has met Analy Ibabao and Mike Siñel of the Malay Association Sailing Boat Owners, Inc. Sailboat Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Lenilyn Maming of the Boracay Island Hopping Association Multi-purpose Cooperative to discuss what was only a DOT proposal then.
The water transport cooperatives welcomed the plan.
Ibabao said the free services is a great help for them, adding that the livelihood of their members suffered from Boracay’s closure.
The repair and repainting works will start second week of September. DOT will provide the paint and the Department of Labor and Employment will be the one to pay the painters under its Cash-for-Work Program.
“Our boats will not only look good when Boracay reopens. It will also help the crew to have an extra income through the cash-for-work [program]”, Ibabao added. (With DOT Region 6/PN)
