SHOULD the government require tourists to have “access bracelets” before visiting Boracay Island?
There is such proposal, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
If it pushes through, it will be part of security measures and the regulation of tourist arrivals, Interior undersecretary Epimaco Densing told a radio interview.
“Ang paggamit ng bracelet ay pinag-aaralan pa po iyan para ma-monitor ang pumapasok na tao sa isla,” Densing said over Super Radyo dzBB.
“There is a proposal pero wala pa pong implementation,” he further said.
The government plans to limit the number of tourists entering Boracay.
“Boracay’s carrying capacity of 55,000 per day is divided into two – 36,000 residents and workers and 19,000 tourists,” said Densing.
According to the Interior department official, the island “can carry fewer tourists than residents and workers based on their usage of resources.”
“Halimbawa ang pagligo sa dagat,” Densing said. “Kung turista ka, araw-araw ka halos maliligo. Kung ikaw ay residente hindi ka lagi maliligo [sa dagat].”
He added: “Sa paggamit ng tuwalya, isang linggo bago labhan kung ikaw ay residente. Kapag ikaw ay turista isang araw lalabhan.”
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay for six months starting April 26 to give way to rehabilitation efforts.
The Environment, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism departments recommended the six-month closure after Duterte threatened to shut down the island for being a “cesspool.”
These departments compose the task force currently overseeing rehabilitation activities in the island.
Boracay was scheduled to reopen on Oct. 26 with a “dry run.” Its “soft opening” will be from Oct. 16 to 25./PN
