ILOILO City – All tourism-related fees in Boracay Island are currently under review, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6.
During the 31st episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on March 7 hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Region 6, DOT-6 director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the possible adjustment on the fees is still under negotiation between the local government unit (LGU) of Malay, Aklan and tourism stakeholders.
“Nasa stage pa lang po tayo ng negotiation… Ang nababasa po kasi natin sa news ngayon they just focus on the environmental and terminal fees. But there are other fees that are being collected in Boracay, it may not be collected directly from the tourists. Mayroon pong collection po sa ating tourism establishments… in return, we all know na ipinapatong din siya sa turista,” Rodriguez said.
She added: “When you go to Boracay to organize an event, there are other fees na kina-kolekta and let me also mention na hindi lamang ang Malay LGU ang nagko-collect ng fee when you visit Boracay… Mayroon din pong fees na kino-kolekta ang barangay.”
The Malay LGU and tourism stakeholders, she said, are now studying the fees of Boracay to further encourage more tourists to visit the world-class island.
“‘Yon po ang pinag-aaralan ng ating stakeholders para maka-identify sila, ‘yong hindi naman ganun ka kalaki ang maging impact sa LGU, and at the same time can also be felt by the tourists,” Rodriguez said.
Last month, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined the discussions with the DOT, officials of Aklan provincial and Malay municipal governments, and other stakeholders to address the complaint regarding the excessive fees when entering Boracay.
Following the meeting, Rodriguez said they expected that Malay LGU would call for a local tourism council meeting anytime soon to talk about the respective recommended fees of the LGU and stakeholders.
Currently, visitors to Boracay pay P150 each in terminal and environmental fees, plus an additional environmental fee upon departure, alongside boat fare costs./PN
