Gov’t wants 20% islanders in Boracay workforce

DEPARTMENT of Tourism-6 officials and participants to the “Achieving Power Personality and Impact as Frontline Ambassadors for a better Boracay” held at Casa Pilar Beach Resort in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan days before the island’s reopening. The participants were Front Office Staff of DOT-Accredited Establishments in Boracay Island. (DOT-6 photo)

BORACAY, Aklan – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is still keen on relocating thousands of this island’s workers to the mainland area.

But with “higher” cost of living and the transportation expenses to and from Boracay, how will the government be able to limits the island’s carrying capacity?

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who also heads the Boracay Inter Agency Task Force, said they are looking at two options.

“First, we are considering of bringing the workers out of Boracay and look for a relocation (site) in the mainland,” he added.

In fact, they already tried doing it.

“I have found a place there (in the mainland) and were ready to put some establishments but unfortunately, we were discouraged as it is a no build zone. It’s a hazard area. So we abandoned it,” he added.

Cimatu said they are still looking for a place for the workers in mainland Malay.

“We’re envisioning a dormitory type workplace wherein they will be there. They will not be including their family with them. They still stay there with the participation of the hotel or resort they are working with,” he added.

Part of the BIATF’s plan is for employers to subsidize the dormitory rental for these people.

The second option is for the government to request business owners to employ Boracay residents to work with.

“There should be about 20% of the workforce that are natives of Boracay,” Cimatu said, noting that majority of workers are not local.

He cited that if an establishment owner is from the nearby province of Iloilo, workers are most likely to come from that area also.

“But we are envisioning at any one time, dapat mayroong 20 percent na taga-Boracay sa workforce na ‘yan,” he added.

Cimatu said they would also request the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide training for local residents in terms of hotel or restaurant work or management for tourism purposes.

In answer to Cimatu, TESDA said they recently conducted training to around 700 displaced workers and Malay residents in Boracay. Half of whom are katutubo or those from the indigenous people sector.

“And these are continuing efforts,” said Alvin Feliciano, TESDA deputy director general.

The 700 graduates took courses on lifeguard services, cookery, electrical installation and maintenance, driving, hilot/therapeutic massage, carpentry, masonry, and shielded metal arc wielding (SMAW).

A study commissioned by the DENR noted that Boracay Island could only accommodate 54,945 people a day.

With the tourists carrying capacity set at 19,215, non-tourists should only be at 35,730.

Reports also indicated that Boracay’s population is 70,781.

Cimatu earlier noted that the number of non-tourists exceeds the island’s carrying capacity.

It was estimated that there were 22,935 stay-in workers, 16,000 residents, and 13,695 migrant workers.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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