Aklan PNP security plans for Boracay's Holy Week in place

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY - Travelers for the Holy Week and the entire summer season in the island of Boracay are assured of a tightened security implemented by the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO).

Over 40,000 tourists, mostly local travelers, went to a Holy Week and the summer months exodus in the island of Boracay every year, data from the Department of Tourism (DoT) showed.

Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the BSTPO security personnel are gearing up for tight security for tourists entering and leaving Boracay Island through the Caticlan airport, Cagban and Caticlan jetty ports.

Bragais said police assistance centers will be put up and some 100 policemen deployed in strategic areas of the island as part of the security plans to ensure the safety of vacationers in public places. DoT said the tourist arrival is at its peak, especially during the summer peak season and is expecting no vacancy in most hotels and beach resorts starting mid-March to June.

"The security measures will be finalized this week for the Lenten season in the popular vacation destination of Boracay. All security personnel tasked to patrol and secure the island will assist the travelers for their safe travel," the police director said.

Meanwhile, DoT is anticipating more chartered regional flights from Taiwan and China this year since the island is the top beach destination for Taiwanese. The island also boosted its tourism arrivals with familiarization tours of operators from Russia and Germany.