Boracay visitors back to ‘old habits’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Tourists left their thrash again, visitors drinking in the beach front and annoying beach vendors trying to sell souvenirs. They are back to their old habits days after the Boracay re-opening.

photo boracay pnp

The ‘violators’ were noticeably seen in the beach front by Metro Boracay Police Task Force and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the ‘Undas’ celebration in Boracay Island.

“Kalimitan sa mga nakikita nating violators, ang mga pasaway na mga foreigners na bisita. Sinisita at nag-remind tayo sa kanila dahil wala pa tayong citation tickets. Kailangan paigtingin natin ang information awareness,” Environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.

Visitors have been reminded to observe existing municipal ordinances which prohibit drinking, dining and smoking on White Beach, while sandcastle making will be regulated. Hot-coal roasting of meats, souvenir shops and electric lights on main beach will be banned also.

Prior to Boracay re-opening, the government has been counting on existing ordinances declaring the island a noise sensitive zone (Municipal Ordinance No. 144), no smoking on public places (Municipal Ordinance No. 272), regulating the activities of vendors, peddlers, ambulant masseurs, manicurists (Municipal Ordinance No. 181) and activities along the White Beach (Municipal Ordinance No. 132) to sustain the ‘makeover’ efforts of Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force for a new Boracay.  

“Kailangan siguro community service ang penalties sa mga pasaway na nagtatapon ng basura, naninigarilyo at umiinom sa beach front,” Antiporda added.

This week, tourists are back in large numbers in the island after it was closed for six months due to environmental degradation, pollution, uncontrolled construction, traffic congestion and overpopulation.  

The rehabilitation works at the new Boracay are expected to continue through 2019.

From October 28 to November 1, the island accommodated 18,715 tourists. Of the figure, the biggest number of tourist arrivals was recorded on November 1 with 5,418.

Only 157 hotels and resorts are allowed to reopen while others are waiting for government permits.