PCCI: Closing El Nido, Coron would not be good for business

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday warned that closing top tourist destinations El Nido and Coron in Palawan would have a negative impact on businesses and jobs.

“Closing El Nido and Coron will not be good for business particularly for the legitimate industry stakeholders (i.e., hotels,  resorts) who will suffer the most from cancellation of bookings and reservations for the coming months,” PCCI said in a statement.

“It will also affect a lot of local livelihoods and jobs,” the business group said.

The PCCI made the statement in light of the closure of 22 business establishments in El Nido as part of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of the local government. 

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, however, clarified that the tourist destinations will not undergo a total closure like that of Boracay.

“PCCI  agrees with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat that if ever extreme action [has] to be taken, there should not be a complete shutdown of Coron and El Nido but instead the government must close or heavily fine only those establishments that are proven to have violated environmental codes,” PCCI said.

The business group also urged the government to carefully study any possible proposal to close El Nido and Coron, and to hold a dialogue with key stakeholders to map out rehabilitation plans before considering such actions.

“PCCI also urges concerned LGUs not to wait for the national government’s intervention but rather be more proactive in identifying and cleaning up their respective illegal waste disposal and sewer issues,” it said.

The business group also proposed that erring officials should be charged  or removed from service.

About a million tourists visit Palawan every year, the bulk of whom go to El Nido and Coron, according to the business group.

“Tourist arrival in El Nido reached  200,000 in 2017 and  with the  recent closure  of Boracay, the  figure is much higher this year,” PCCI said. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News