“Fake tickets” in Boracay snorkeling areas rampant

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay is alarmed by the rampant ‘fake’ tickets charged to tourists in snorkeling spots in Boracay Island.

                                    PHOTO AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL

The ‘fake’ tickets are issued in snorkeling areas in Tambisaan (Manoc-Manoc), stations 1 and 3 in the White Beach, according to SB member Dante Pagsuguiron.

“The situation in snorkeling areas in Boracay is alarming. One ticket costing P40 is being issued for one group of snorkelers which should be collected on individual basis,” he added.

Tickets with six digits serial numbers are considered fake tickets since the local government of Malay is issuing stamped seven-numbered tickets for snorkelers.

“Hinahati ang pera. Ang taga-kolekta sa snorkeling areas ay hindi empleyado ng Malay at kung empleyado naman ay hindi under sa Office ng Municipal Treasurer,” Pagsuguiron stressed.

Last week, Pagsuguiron said he received three types of tickets charged to tourists and locals in snorkeling areas without a stamped and of different ticket sizes.

Snorkeling collections remitted amounted P1.5-million from August 2016 to May this year, although the local government unit had increased the snorkeling ticket price from P20 to P40 since January.

“We are expecting more revenues from snorkelling activities since the Boracay tourist arrivals also increased,” Pagsuguiron added.

SB member Jupiter Aelfred Gallenero said “if the situation remains unsolved, the culprits are depriving income due to the municipal government...we are targeting P450-million revenues this year, but, the snorkelling collections are improperly remitted to LGU Malay.”

It was learned that snorkeling collections are also shared to Yapak, Manoc-Manoc and Balabag barangays.

The legislative council decided to refer the snorkeling issue to the committee of good government of SB member Julieta Aron.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.