BORACAY – The White Beach will welcome local tourists to this famed island destination come Oct. 15 – the beginning of the 11-day dry run for the resumption of Boracay’s tourist operations.
Boat Stations 1 and 2 will be used as disembarking areas for the local tourists – defying the “one-entry, one exit” policy in the island.
A provincial ordinance was passed in 2006 that imposes this policy.
The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force said the policy will be temporarily set aside for the island’s “partial” reopening.
It added that Cagban port in Boracay’s Barangay Manoc-manoc will also be used as a pick-up and drop-off point.
“Ang mga dating boat stations sa front beach ang gagamitin dahil hindi pa natapos ang Boracay main road widening. May mga pontoon tayo sa mga nasabing boat stations,” said Caticlan jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang.
He added, “Isa lang ang entry point natin sa Caticlan port. Hindi na gagamitin ang welcome center ng malalaking hotels sa Caticlan.”
Boat Stations 1 and 2 – located at the White Beach – will only be used during daytime while the Cagban port, during nighttime.
Maquirang added that directional signage will be placed at the ports and boat stations to assist tourists.
On Sept. 20, Environment secretary Roy Cimatu and Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar toured Caticlan jetty port in relation to the soft opening.
“Nag-walk through sila kung saan papasok ang mga residente, turista at workers; kung paano kukuha ng tiket at saan sila sasakay papuntang Boracay,” said Maquirang.
“Galing sa Caticlan, ang mga workers ay doon ang sakayan sa Reclamation Area,” he added.
A verification scheme for those entering the island will be observed at the ports and boat stations.
Maquirang also said tourists must verify their hotel bookings before entering Boracay.
“No bookings on compliant hotels, no entry,” he stressed.
When Boracay reopens to all tourists on Oct. 26, a tourist cap of 19,000 will be observed, according to the Environment department.
The island was ordered shut for six months beginning April 26 upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, who called the “Philippine tourism gem” a “cesspool.”
The closure – which aims to reverse Boracay’s poor environmental condition – was opposed by various groups composed of island residents, workers and other stakeholders. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
