(Eagle News) – Malacanang is not ordering the closure of Boracay island just yet for tourists.
This was according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque who stressed that the possible closure of Boracay “will not happen during the upcoming peak season.”
“Proceed to Boracay,” Roque said, citing the peak season this long summer break.
I don’t think any closure will happen during the peak season of Boracay,” he said in a press briefing on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
He said the President is yet to act upon the recommendation to shut down Boracay to make way for its much needed rehabilitation. He clarified that the status quo maintains as far as tourism operations on the island are concerned.
If the President accepts the proposal to temporarily close Boracay, it would have to be during the lean season to minimize its impact on the tourism sector, Roque said.
But the Palace spokesperson still reminded business developers on the island of an existing moratorium, which disallows them to make further improvements in their establishments.
“Whatever happens to Boracay, what’s imperative now is to lay down expanded infrastructure for both drainage and sewage treatment facilities,” Roque said.
He also stressed the administration’s commitment to rehabilitate the island and make it a sustainable environment which can support huge developments. (Eagle News Service)