‘BETTER BORACAY’: Was the 6-month shutdown worth it?

NATIONAL and local officials lead the unveiling of the Boracay Icon in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan during its reopening on Oct 26, 2018.

BORACAY, Aklan – Naysayers could say whatever they want to say but for majority of this island’s stakeholders, the sacrifices they had to endure were all worth it.

After all, residents, workers, and big businesses alike felt the brunt when the island shut down to tourists six months ago.

From financial losses to mental stress, majority, if not all of Boracay stakeholders, bravely went through the ordeal.

“But today is a great day for people of Boracay and Aklan,” said Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, adding that the past six months has been a difficult period since Boracay is the main anchor of Aklan’s economy.

Many of Aklanons were displaced and businesses suffered while the impact on all sectors of the province has been huge, he added.

While they continued to deliver social and health services to the Akeanons, Miraflors said they had put on hold their development projects due to income losses from Boracay’s closure.

“Sacrifices have been made but everyone believed that is all worth it,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Fiona Lauren Molina, president of the Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB), said the closure brought confusion and fear.

However, “we also know that Boracay needed saving from years of neglect and abuse – collective failure form both the public and private sector. We had been clamoring for national attention to help solve our problems and, I think, all here will agree we got more than we could have possibly imagined,” Molina said.

During the re-opening last Oct 26, 2018, Molina said they look back on their journey in the last six months.

They were constantly asked if it was worth it.

“Our answer is a firm and resounding yes. These past six months have made a lifetime of difference. Having seen and been a part of the rehabilitation efforts, we have a deeper appreciation of our pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters, and most importantly, the hard work needed to help keep them this way. Boracay was and will continue to be worth all our sacrifices and hardships,” she added.

For Virgilio Sacdalan, who heads the shops and restaurant owners of Boracay, it was a difficult period and they could not imagine on how to be rebuild.

“Rebuilding Boracay was a struggle to the stakeholders, residents, workers and their families,” he added.

But in the end, Sacdalan said it prepared them for a stronger and better Boracay.

Victoria, a native of Iloilo City who has been a resident if Boracay for decades, said the six-month closure was a bad news for them.

“But on one hand, we knew that it had to be done,” she said in the vernacular.

Victoria used to be a hair braid artist but had to sell barbecue when the island was shut down.

“Hopefully, we could bounce back after this,” she added.

Optimism was also painted on Dandy Alvarez’s face when asked about his expectation for the Boracay re-opening.

During the closure, Alvarez continue to ply his electric tricycle and would take home P300 per day on the average.

Previously, he earned at least P700 daily.

“But it was a sacrifice that we had to do because I saw how crowded the island was. I was hoping that my grandchildren could still enjoy Boracay,” the 37-year old Alvarez said.

Aljean, a housekeeping attendant of a resort, said she chose to take a 3-month leave during the closure.

She earned minimum wage. Her employer did not retrench them but offered a P5,000 salary if they continue to stay at the resort while the island is still closed.

She chose to take a break for three months before working for another three months.

“It was all worth it,” she added.

From business owners to workers and residents, all are hopeful that the new Boracay would entice tourists to visit the island.

During opening day, the Caticlan Jetty Port recorded some 2,440 tourist arrivals with bookings while 114 stayed with their friends and families residing in the island.

Non-residents who went for a one-day transaction totaled 347.

Also, 1,419 Boracay residents, 1,535 workers, and 1,555 residents entered the island on the same day.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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