More than 700 tourists from NCR Plus arrive in Boracay on first Saturday of June

BORACAY, Malay, Aklan - A total of 718 tourists including 10 babies from the National Capital Region Plus bubble arrived in Boracay on Saturday for the weekend.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the tourists flew in on seven flights which landed at Caticlan Airport. All of them went straight to Boracay.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said airports in the country are strict in ensuring safety and health protocols are observed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Tugade was in Kalibo to personally inspect the expanded and upgraded Kalibo International Airport.

The government eased COVID-related restrictions on domestic travel by allowing leisurely trips from NCR Plus (National Capital Region, Bulacan,  Cavite, Laguna and Rizal) to areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ regardless of age from June 1 to 15.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said such travel is allowed provided that all travelers test negative for COVID-19 and will comply with the local government guidelines.

The municipality of Malay in Aklan—home of the world famous white sand beaches of Boracay—then announced it was now open to visitors from NCR Plus after the government allowed leisure travel in the region and nearby areas.

According to the Department of Tourism, minors and seniors are subject to the RT-PCR test-before-travel requirement. It also added that travels to tourist spots must be point-to-point only.

Meanwhile, the interzonal travel regulations set by local governments and those imposed by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force will also apply. —Jun N. Aguirre/KG, GMA News