MALAY, Aklan – The Chinese Embassy in Manila vowed cooperation in abiding with the local policies being implemented in Boracay Island.
Chinese liaison officer Peter Tay said Consul General Lou Gang with the Chinese Embassy officials for culture and tourism, met acting Malay mayor Floribar Bautista and other government officials of the island to cooperate with the local government.
“Mayor Bautista told the Consul about the petty issues involving some Chinese nationals penalized for their involvement in littering and smoking violations at the front beach. Hearing this, Gang seeks a full copy of the existing local ordinance. This will be then translated into Chinese and the embassy will distribute it to the visiting Chinese tourists to Boracay for their information,” Tay added.
Aside from the courtesy visit, the Chinese Embassy also donated six All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) worth around P1.4 million to be used for Boracay’s local baywatch program.
Leonard Tirol, officer of the Boracay Fire, Rescue and Volunteers Incorporated (BFRAV), said the ATVs will be stationed at the front beach. Others will be given to the Philippine National Police for patrolling purposes.
Last March, Gang met with the officials of the Department of Tourism to promote Boracay to the Chinese tourists.
China together with Korea remained as the top two sources of market, recording an 81 percent total of international tourist arrivals from Jan. to Oct.
The Malay Municipal Tourism Office recorded a total of 389,885 Chinese tourist arrivals from Jan. to Oct. this year.
Korean tourists came in second with 334,201 tourist arrivals.
They were followed by Taiwanese tourists with 28,455 arrivals./PN
