After APEC, adopt ‘best approaches’ for Boracay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

After hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings in Boracay, the provincial government of Aklan urged stakeholders and agencies to continue adopting ‘best approaches’ to address concerns in the island.  

Caticlan port administrator Niven Maquirang said he received the instructions from Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores last week.   

“Even after APEC, we have to maintain the 300 meters setback from the main beach front for boats and paraws, the rotunda like one way in front of D’Mall and strictly implement the 300 gross tonnages of barges at designated docking areas in Boracay,” Maquirang said. 

Ongoing also are the strict implementation of the one-entry one-exit policy for passengers and residents in Caticlan and Cagban ports, daytime loading of trucks for roll-on roll-off vessels in Caticlan port, the loading and unloading in designated areas in the streets of Boracay.

Maquirang said the provincial government of Aklan received positive feedbacks from APEC delegates. They also thanked Aklan’s efforts, understanding and the support of local leaders and businesses and the sense of hospitality by the residents during their stay in the province. 

APEC meetings in Boracay for Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings for Ministers Responsible for Trade Meetin from May 10 to 24 have longer-term implications as it created new business and tourism opportunities for Aklan and Boracay.

Meanwhile, reclamation works and infrastructure projects are also ongoing in the two major ports in Malay, Aklan to improve services for tourists and residents. 

Close to 160,000 tourists visited Boracay this May, 48,000 of which were foreigners, the port official added.