Boracay task force warns tourists on ‘fake’ commissioners

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Booked only to accredited water sports operators.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) issued the warning after it allowed some water sports activities to operate on November 3.

Environment chief Roy Cimatu said non-motorized outdoor activities such as kayaking, paraw sailing, stand-up paddling are permitted to cater to tourists on Saturday.  

However, the task force reminded tourists to refrain transacting from free agents or commissioners for pre-booked water sports activities. Instead, the tourists should coordinate with registered water sports operators or with their hotels or resorts.  

Before the Boracay closure, the local police intensified the crackdown on the growing number of commissioners and tour guides who took advantage of their guests.

The ‘fake’ commissioners were collecting money from the guests in advance for the next day water sports activities, but on agreed schedule the whereabouts of the commissioners were unknown.

Cimatu said the towables like diving, parasailing banana boat, jet ski and flying fish will be permitted on November 7. Island hopping will be allowed on November 15.

The island hopping activities in nearby islands, however, is temporarily suspended until the local government of Malay, Aklan has checked compliance of environmental laws of the operators in nearby islands.

The task force also set zoning and designated anchorage areas to regulate the water sports activities to protect the corals and marine biodiversity in the island.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier conducted marine diversity study to assess coral condition, fish population and anchorage areas around the island.

The ‘new’ Boracay Island formally opened on October 26 to tourists after six months of temporary closure.