ILOILO City – The Department of Tourism is calling on the cooperation of residents and tourists in popular tourist destination Boracay Island, as it implements its rehabilitation plans ahead of the expected summer peak season.
“We urge you to report non-compliant establishments to Boracay Inter-agency Task Force (BIATF) and local government unit so that we can take immediate action”, DOT undersecretary Arturo Boncato, Jr., said during the Boracay DOT accredited stakeholders meeting recently at the City Mall, Boracay Island.
It aimed to clarify issues and concerns regarding the on-going implementation of policies of the BIATF. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the local government units of Aklan and Malay, as well as agencies and media, among others.
During the meeting, undersecretary Boncato announced that as of Feb. 19, there are 319 DOT accredited hotels and resorts with a total of 11,657 rooms.
“We are thankful for the cooperation of stakeholders in implementing the rules on accreditation. We believe we are here for a single purpose, to save Boracay because we all want to have a better and cleaner Boracay Island,” said DOT Western Visayas regional director Atty. Helen Catalbas.
In order to fully address concerns regarding tourism in the Island of Boracay another set of meeting will be conducted.
“There will be one major meeting and two sectoral meetings in the coming months,” DOT assistant secretary Ma. Rica Bueno concluded./PN
