No more Laboracay? Gov't wants Boracay parties on May 1 canceled

The government's inter-agency group pushing for the closure of Boracay is recommending that Laboracay parties in the island be cancelled.

Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro made the announcement in a Facebook post.

"The InterAgency has recommended that all Laboracay parties this year should be cancelled," she said, referring to the Department of Tourism, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"The provincial government of Aklan is bound to recommend it as well."

The three agencies have previously recommended the total closure of the island as a tourist destination for up to one year, citing "public health, public interest, and general welfare." President Rodrigo Duterte has called the island, which perennially ranks among the top beach destinations in the world, a "cesspool" because of supposed environmental issues.

Stakeholders in Boracay said the move may result in at least P56 billion in foregone revenues and render 36,000 people jobless.

Laboracay is an annual beach party in the island where tourists fly in to take advantage of the Labor Day holiday. —JST, GMA News