Chinese tourists dismayed over Boracay’s imminent closure

Chinese tourists wanting to go to Boracay were reportedly disappointed over the imminent closure of this resort island for at least six months.

In a news conference here, Thomas Santiago, president of the  Boracay Filipino Chinese Tour Guides Association, said the national government must learn from the Manila experience of shutting down both Chinese and Taiwanese tourists.

“Remember when a group of Chinese tourists was held hostage in Manila several years ago? As a result of this, only a few Chinese tourists ended up visiting Manila then. But when Manila opened its doors to Chinese tourists once again, skilled workers working at the hotels and restaurants were unprepared for the influx of tourists. This may also happen in Boracay, as skilled workers in certain fields may go different paths, which would result in the vacuum of skilled personnel,” he said.

“We are willing to help solve the environmental woes in Boracay, but only if we will be given a chance,” he said, adding that the tour guides’ association has around 130 regular members in Boracay.

Already, the association said, at least three airlines already temporarily cancelled their direct flights to Kalibo. Among those cancelled is a direct flight coming from
Hong Kong.

“There are eight cities from China with direct flights to Kalibo. Each Chinese tourist spends around P30,000 to P40,000 for their three-day stay in Boracay. The impact of closure would be unimaginable for us,” he added.

Chinese tourists love Boracay because of its seamless travel and pristine nature.

Locals unite in cleaning Boracay

Unity in cleaning this island resort may convince authorities not to pursue closure plans, according to cleanup organizers.

The activity started Wednesday last week. It was joined by stakeholders from various sectors – residents, establishment owners, tourists and even children, among others.

On Saturday, the cleanup focused on the 4-kilometer stretch of the beachfront. The participants collected waste and placed them inside plastic bags that were then properly disposed by garbage trucks.

Mark Santiago, one of the island cleanup organizers, said they “want to show President Rodrigo Duterte that we are united.”

“We call for the President not to close Boracay,” Santiago stressed.

Resident Maffi De Paris told Panay News that she helped in the cleanup to show her love for Boracay.

“Many workers and residents would be largely affected once Boracay is considered close,” she said.

Another resident, Carme Ann Talaga, who also participated in the cleanup, said it was “okay” if ever the cancellation of “Laboracay” events this year will push through.

“Basta maglimpyo lang ang isla. Next year guro mas bongga ang Labo[racay],” she added.

Massive crackdown on business establishments violating environmental laws in Boracay is still ongoing.

This after the President threatened to close the island after he called it a “cesspool” early last month.

The inter-agency tasked to restore Boracay has earlier recommended a yearlong closure of the island to pave way for rehabilitation efforts.

But last week, it once again suggested to shut the island down for a period of six months starting April 26.

The suggestion was addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte, who is expected to announce his decision today, March 26./

Asean to discuss human trafficking in Boracay Island

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan—Senior officials of the Asean Plus Three is holding a three-day tabletop exercise that ends March 22 to discuss issues and concerns on human trafficking.

Ilyne Galasinao, senior research analyst of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes (PCTC), said the Philippines is currently the lead shepherd of the Asean in the fight against human trafficking.

At least 80 delegates composed of law enforcers with the International Police (Interpol), government prosecutors and immigration officials attended the activity. The meeting is also in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Trafficking in person is a global scourge that contributes to the violation of human rights. Based on researches, the majority of the traffic victims are women. The Philippines is the country lead shepherd of trafficking in persons and the fight against human trafficking is one of the main thrusts of the President of the Philippines.

The PCTC, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, headed by Assistant Secretary Nestor F. Quinsay Jr. and Senior Officers Leader Philippines, organized this tabletop exercise,” Galasinao said.

Speakers of the tabletop exercise included Bruce Kelly, team leader of the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Person; Director Jose Robert R. Nunez, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense; Archana Kotecha, head of the Legal Organization of Liberty Asia; Paul Buckley, regional technical assistant of the United Nations Action for Cooperation Against Trafficking in Persons; Assistant City Prosecutor Darlene R. Pajarito and Undersecretary Jimmy L. Manabat of the Presidential Anti-Organization Crime Commission.

Kelly said that aside from involving women, men and children, victims are also increasing its number.

Intelligence officials privy to the forum said up for discussion are illegal drugs and the case of slain overseas Filipino worker Joana Demafiles of Iloilo. Demafiles was physically abused and killed by her employer in Kuwait.

DENR, PCG hold water sampling in Boracay's Bulabog beach

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Caticlan and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are conducting a weeklong water sampling at the Bulabog beach at the back of this resort island.

Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, chief of PCG-Caticlan, said Wednesday that they are coordinating with the DENR as part of the mandate to ensure environmental protection of the coastline.

The Bulabog beach became the center of controversy after President Rodrigo R. Duterte saw on video the algal blooms and the poor environmental situation in the area.

The video shown in February prompted the President to declare Boracay a “cesspool”.

"This is a weeklong activity. The water samples are being taken at the beach and the coastline of Bulabog," he said,

DENR Region 6 (Western Visayas) Assistant Regional Director Livino Duran said that the water samples will be submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau in Iloilo City that will determine the result whether the beach is safe for swimming or not.

The same result of the water sample will then be submitted to President Duterte.

Bulabog beach, is not known for being white-sand beaches and still waters, but  more popular for its wind and kite surfing.

Consuls worried over safety of Chinese visitors

The Chinese embassy has expressed concern over the safety of Chinese tourists visiting this world-famous island.

This amid the massive crackdown on business establishments that violate sanitary and zoning laws in Boracay.

Chinese officials went to the island on March 15 to make sure that their constituents are safe and are well taken care of.

Among them were Consul General Lou Gang, Consul Wang Hao and Embassy Secretary Christine Zhang.

Part of their visit was the inspection of the Boracay District Hospital and the Waste Management Center.

Chinese tourists have been one of the top markets of the tourism industry in Boracay. In fact, from January to February this year, they posted the highest arrivals in the island – a total of 120,973./

Boracay terminal fee to be used for island's rehab

 The PHP100 terminal fee being charged on each tourist to and from Boracay Island will be used for the six-month rehabilitation of this resort island.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said Tuesday that the terminal fee collection is the contribution of the province for the clean-up and revival of this resort island.

"We are doing this for the improvement of Boracay. We are supporting the program of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate Boracay," he added.

The collected terminal fees were being used for the maintenance of the Caticlan Jetty Port.

The said fund also augments the funding of the province for its health services for indigents.

Aside from the terminal fee, the environmental fee collection of the Malay local government worth PHP75 for each tourist will also be used to fund the island’s rehabilitation.

The Malay local government would also augment the calamity fund once the Department of Interior and Local Government has placed Boracay under the state of calamity.

The rehabilitation phase starts March until August of this year.

In 2017, around 2.1 million foreign and local tourists visited Boracay Island.

The island generated over PHP56 billion in tourism receipts last year based on the figures bared during the recent Senate hearing held here.

Malay LGU prepared for DILG probe

The local government here is prepared for the ongoing investigation being conducted by a team of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Central Office.

Rowen Aguirre, executive assistant to the Mayor of Malay, said Monday the DILG investigation began last week.

The investigation is meant to identify possible negligence of several local government officials that has led to the crackdown on Boracay Island, among them Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, the municipal engineering office, and the local zoning department.

Part of the ongoing investigation is what happened to the PHP75 environmental fee being asked by the local government from both foreign and local tourists coming to Boracay Island. Boracay welcomed more than two million visitors in 2017.

"We are awaiting the result of the ongoing probe. We are confident that the DILG would be fair in their judgment. The administration of Cawaling is only more than two years and many of the problems being faced by Boracay developed before Cawaling's term," Aguirre said.

Alma Belejero, the zoning officer, earlier said that several resorts are not complying fairly. The zoning office also lacks personnel to monitor all of the ongoing developments in Boracay.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte in January called this resort island a cesspool.

Local anti-squatting task force eyed in Boracay

There must be a local task force to monitor the presence of squatting syndicates in this popular beach destination, according to a national official.

“We urge the local government to form a local task force that would investigate the possible presence of squatting syndicates in this resort island,” said Atty. Alvin Cadades, director IV of the National Police Task Force on Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates.

Cadades – who was in Boracay with officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for an anti-squatting syndicate workshop last week – also encouraged those who were victimized by squatting syndicates to come out and file charges.

Executive Order (EO) 129 defines squatting syndicates as “groups of persons engaged in illegal business of squattier housing for profit or gain.”

The PNP’s Maritime Command, municipal government enforcers and volunteer groups attended the March 8 workshop where they learned how squatting syndicates carry out their modus.

Detecting fake land titles and tax declarations, among others, were taught in the workshop.

Cadades said they brought the workshop to Boracay at the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte – this amid the island’s environmental rehabilitation.

EO 178 created the National Police Task Force on Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates in 1999 to “vigorously pursue the apprehension and prosecution of professional squatters and squatting syndicates nationwide.”

The national task force was established due to the “proliferation of professional squatters and squatting syndicates in urban centers nationwide hamper the effective implementation of the government’s mass housing programs.

30 structures demolished in Puka Beach

Some 30 structures considered as illegal have been demolished by the local government unit of Malay.

Rowen Aguirre, executive assistant to the Office of the Mayor, on Thursday said the illegal structures at Puka Beach in Barangay Yapak, Boracay were consisted of souvenir and refreshments shops.

The demolition started Wednesday and was completed Thursday.

The local government unit of Malay has served notices to the stall owners along Puka Beach for violating easement rules and sanitary regulations.

"We have initiated the demolition of light structures to restore Puka Beach in its original state. We are targeting larger structures next time as we will be needing specialized equipment to do that," Aguirre said.

The demolition team was composed of employees of the Municipal Auxiliary Policemen, Municipal Planning and Development Office, Philippine National Police, and of the Municipal Waste Management Office, among others.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday said that he would place Boracay under a state of calamity due to its environmental woes and also to extend financial help to the workers who stand to be displaced.

‘Penalize violators, reward compliant biz’

Sen. Cynthia Villar, along with other stakeholders, expressed concern over the proposed closure of this popular island destination.

Villar, chairwoman of the Senate committee on environment, led on Friday the public hearing on environmental law violations in the island.

Senators Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, and Miguel Zubiri joined Villar in the hearing that was also attended by other stakeholders – such as resort owners and residents.

Villar said Boracay’s closure will not be good for the business sector.

“What we recommend is we close those [business establishments] that are violators and reward those compliant as we let them [remain] open,” Villar stressed.

The Senate has earlier requested Environment secretary Roy Cimatu to appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte not to shut down Boracay.

The President on Feb. 9 called the island a “cesspool” and threatened to close it if its environmental problems remain unsolved within six months.

Hours before the hearing, Villar inspected about three resorts in the island for their compliance with the 30-meter no-build easement zone from the shore and their connection to the sewage treatment plant.

She also checked the treatment plant of the Boracay Island Water Company, the material recovery facility of the island in Sitio Bung-aw, Barangay Manoc-manoc, and the wetland area of the island to check the storm water impounded area.

Meanwhile, architect Jennifer Romualdez, vice president of the Global Estates Resort, Inc., said they are also worried over the mulled tourist hotspot closure.

“If that happens, we could not do anything about it. We will just continue working with our master plan for our development area in Boracay,” Romualdez said.

Elena Brugger of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay said they have been receiving many cancellations of island visits despite the closure not being final.

Some 20,000 workers may lose their jobs if Boracay shuts down, labor groups in Western Visayas have said.