DENR, DOT, DILG to explain 6-month Boracay shutdown proposal at Cabinet meeting

The government interagency task force on Boracay will present their reasons for their proposal for the six-month closure of Boracay beginning April 26 at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to officials from the Departments of Tourism (DOT) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said after a briefing at Cafe Adriatico Manila that all departments will have presentations at the cabinet meeting, where a "final action" on the fate of Boracay will reportedly be made.

"When the three agencies [DENR, DOT, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)] presented the proposal to the president, it will be evaluated also not only by the president but by other cabinet members, kasi may mga implication like, for example, DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], meron ding concerns. Ang DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment], may concern rin 'yan, so they will be asking the three agencies yung basis of their [proposal]," he explained.

Leones is unsure if President Rodrigo Duterte will make the decision after the meeting that is expected to take place all day, but said all agencies will have time to argue their cases.

"I cannot really say that, but what I am sure of is the interagency [task force] has already decided the temporary closure or shutdown of Boracay island. And it's up to the president when he will decide, based on his evaluation of the proposal," Leones said.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre said the proposal is still pending before the Office of the President.

Aside from this, the president may also consider the proposal from the DTI to close Boracay in phases to ease the burden on residents and workers who will be affected by the shutdown.

Do not prolong the agony

Tourism Congress of the Philippines president Joel Clemente III said stakeholders in Boracay want a final decision on the shutdown as early as possible to avoid prolonging "the agony" of workers, business owners, and residents on the resort island.

Clemente said while business owners can weather the losses, the tourist industry in Boracay continues to struggle in helping the 30,000 workers who will be affected by the shutdown find other means of livelihoods.

Rebooking tourists with reservations in Boracay, with some having booked a year in advance, have also proven to be difficult as a definite timetable has yet to be set.

Stakeholders in Boracay remain supportive of the rehabilitation efforts, but implored the government to consider a staggered shutdown of the island to allow businesses at least six months to conduct their own clean-up efforts and put their affairs into order.

TCAP, Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), and Boracay Foundation were able to conduct a dialogue with the government regarding the potential loss of at least 36,000 jobs and P56 billion in foregone revenue due to the shutdown. — BM, GMA News