(We yield this space to the statement of Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat during yesterday’s reopening of Boracay island due to its significance. – Ed.)
WELCOME back to Boracay! Or would it be better to say, “Welcome back, Boracay”?
During the dry run about a week ago people would come up to the members of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) and tell us this shoreline, the beachfront we are seeing now, this is the Boracay they fell in love with 30 years ago.
Hats off to Envionment secretary Roy Cimatu, the chairperson of the BIATF; to Interior secretary Ed Año, Public Works secretary Mark Villar, Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, and Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi, and to all the hardworking men and women of BIATF who made what seemed impossible, possible.
Compliments as well to our Tourism Regional Director Helen Catalbas and the Department of Tourism Boracay Field Office.
Congratulations, everyone, for a job well done. Our concerted efforts have proven once again that change is indeed possible with strong political will, as our dear President Duterte has exhibited, and eagerness to work together for the love of country.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank our stakeholders for their patience, support and cooperation during the six-month rehabilitation. For our accredited establishments, and those who are working hard to be 100 percent compliant, thank you for your efforts to ensure the highest quality for hospitality and the environment.
As we welcome a better Boracay, the Department of Tourism urges everyone to be responsible tourists. It is the key to the preservation of this national treasure.
The Boracay experience is the ultimate lesson in balancing development and protecting the environment. The lessons learned here are not for Boracay alone but also for the other island destinations around our beautiful country.
The reopening of Boracay is not the culmination of our journey on sustainable tourism — it’s just the beginning.
Together, let us ensure that generations from now, our children’s, children’s children will still say that it’s more fun in the Philippines.
