Guidelines set for Boracay’s soft opening

The guidelines for local tourists who will visit Boracay Island for its soft opening on October 15, 2018 have been set.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan-Cagbang Jetty Port Manager, said the Boracay Interagency Task Force for Rehabilitation has already approved the guidelines to be implemented during the 11-day dry run prior to its re-opening on Oct. 26.

Maquirang presented the guidelines to the local task force composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the local government unit (LGU), and the Department of Tourism, among others.

“The guidelines are for the entry and exit of tourists, workers and residents for the dry run on Oct. 15,” he added. “It will be stipulated there kung saan sila dadaong, saan sila bababa, ano ang magiging flow sa Caticlan Jetty Port.”

Maquirang said that they a new scheme will be implemented.

Authorities will be designating one entry and exit point for Boracay tourists, workers, and residents.

Maquirang said tourists will be dropped off at the Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal where they can take a boat to the island.

They would choose their drop off points: in Station 2, Station 3, or Cagban Port.

The same arrangement will be implemented for residents.

Meanwhile, workers will take a boat at the reclamation area in going to the island. They will then be dropped off at the Manoc-Manoc Port located at the back of the barangay hall.

But authorities might opt to return to the old scheme once the road network repair and works are finished.

Maquirang said no welcome center would be allowed, in the meantime.

However, shuttle services will be allowed to pick up their guests in each drop off points.

Also, signage will be placed to guide residents, workers, and tourists of their drop off points.

Maquirang noted that docking time at the front beach will be from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. For guests arriving or departing at a later or earlier time, it could be coordinated to Philippine Coast Guard and the Caticlan Jetty Port Administration.

Meanwhile, Maquirang clarified that for the first day of the soft opening, only Aklan residents would be allowed entry.

But the following day, other local tourists or residents of Western Visayas will be given access to the island.

The scheduled re-opening on October 26 will cater to all other tourists, both local and foreign.

He also stressed that tourists must have pre-bookings with the hotels before they would be allowed entry.

Authorities will be implementing the “no booking, no entry” policy.

A verification booth will be stationed at the Caticlan Airport and at the Kalibo International Airport.

“Titingnan doon kung may booking sila o wala. Those without booking will be denied access,” he added.

Equally important is for guests to book their stay to compliant hotels or lodging houses.

As of Sept. 7, the Boracay Inspection Committee has monitored 2,474 establishments.

Based on the validation it conducted on the documents submitted by establishments at the one-stop shop, 560 establishments were found to be compliant while 1,455 were non-compliant.

The remaining 459 establishments were closed during the inspections.

Further, Maquirang said they would also adhere to the rule that Ibiza-like parties will prohibited on the island.

Sea sports will also banned, in the meantime.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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