Philippine gov't assures safety of tourists visiting Boracay

The Philippine government said Monday that security measures are in place to ensure the safety of tourists who will be spending the Holy Week here.

For one, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation and Communication have been deployed here to secure tourists who are expected to arrive in droves.

"The government is prepared to secure tourists who have started to arrive in Boracay in time for the long holiday," said Tim Ticar, officer of DOT-Boracay.

The Philippine government noted that the beaches of Boracay are favored by local and foreign tourists especially during the Holy Week.

The DOT said hotels and resorts are already fully booked and that it has offered homestay as an alternative to tourists.