When Boracay reopens, tourists will come, businesses will triple —Teo

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo assured the public on Monday that once the rehabilitation and clean-up of Boracay is finished in six months, tourism and business will pick up.

"Lahat ng mga tao all over the world look at Boracay as a destination. Even Thailand  nagsasara sila, linilinis nila ang lugar nila. So I'm sure na 'pag binuksan natin, they will be curious. Ano ba, maganda na siguro ang Boracay. They will start coming to Boracay," she said in an interview on Unang Balita.

"And those who lost business, ti-triple, dodobol 'yang business nila. But they have to comply (with the rules)," Teo added.

Boracay will be closed for six months starting April 26 to make way for the island's rehabilitation, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte who approved the recommendation of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism.

Teo said they recommended the closure of Boracay beginning April 26 to avoid the start of Laboracay, the annual party on Labor Day which attracts hordes of domestic and foreign tourists.

"'Pag Laboracay talagang dudumi na naman ang lugar. So it was supposed be in the lean season but we have to move it (closure) para ma-avoid namin ang Laboracay," Teo said.

She added that the closure was also scheduled for the peak season because "during lean season, maulan, so mas mabagal ang trabaho. So we wanted it fast so we moved it earlier."

PR nightmare?

Asked if the closure of Boracay poses a public relations nightmare, Teo said she disagrees.

"Hindi because remember, Boracay has been voted one of the best islands in the world. 2016 and 2017. Boracay is Boracay. Kilalang-kilala all over the world. So 'pag sinara mo nang pansamantala, people will still go back to Boracay," she said.

Rebook tickets

Teo advised those who already have plane tickets to Boracay to rebook their flights.

"'Yung mga nakapagpa-book na, they have to go to the airline. The airline, they will refund the ticket if they decide not to push through with the flight. Pagkatapos, there will be no rebooking penalty. Walang mga charges. Waived na ang charges. So they just have to go to the airlines. So walang problema," she said.

Teo also advised tourists to consider other destinations in the meantime.

"So i-rebook na lang pagbukas (ng Boracay) or go to other destinations. Ang dami namang destinations. Remember during May and June, that is peak season for domestic tourists. So 'yung mga domestic tourists, pwede na silang pumunta sa ibang lugar. Ang dami namang lugar diyan—Panglao, Palawan, there is Cebu, Samal, Davao," the Tourism secretary said.

Those who have scheduled weddings in Boracay can hold their ceremonies at other destinations, she said.

"They have to rebook to another destination. Ganoon talaga. Everybody has to sacrifice. Let's say bite the bullet because at the end of the day, it is for the good of Boracay," Teo said.

There will be no considerations, the Tourism chief said. "Wala. When we say closed, closed talaga," she added.

According to Fr. Tudd Belandres, parish pries of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Boracay, 23 church weddings have been scheduled during the six-month closure from April 26 to October 25.

IDs for residents, workers, media

To ensure that only those who will be on the island are non-tourists, identification cards will be given to residents, workers, and media, Teo said.

"All residents will be given an ID. Imo-monitor na 'yan silang lahat. When you go to the island or go back, at least may ID. Even lahat kami, DENR, DOT, will also be given an ID. Media people will also be given ID. So mamo-monitor natin sino talaga ang turista kasi wala na talagang turista dapat," she said.

Those who can stay on the island are residents and workers, she said.

As for hotels and restaurants, Teo said they may operate but only for rehab purposes and for training.

"Wala(ng mag-ooperate na hotel, restaurant). Siguro mag-ooperate sila, they will rehab the hotels. We will be conducting trainings, may mga trainings kaming ibibigay sa mga hotel employees. So 'yun lang. DOLE will also be giving work din," Teo said.

As for local businesses such as sari-sari stores, Teo said they can operate to cater to locals.

"Pwede makabenta ka for the residents, sa locals. Meron pa rin. They can still do business pero walang turistang papasok. Very clear: walang turista, foreign or local, pero they can still do business, pwede pa rin silang magnegosyo," she said.

Residents will also be allowed to swim in the waters. "Basta as long as residents sila doon, walang problema," Teo added.

The Tourism secretary said based on their data, there are 17,000 workers on the island who live there as well.

Blessing in disguise

Teo sees the closure of Boracay not as a curse but as a blessing.

"This is a blessing in disguise. Para naman ma-promote natin other destinations. Kawawa naman 'yung ibang destinations kung puro na lang Boracay. And pangamba nila na lilipat, hindi naman siguro, that's not true. In fact, we're monitoring. 'Yung mga tourism attaches namin, so far they are monitoring, wala pa naman cancellations. But diversions to other destinations in the Philippines," she said.

"Lahat at least ng destinations sa Pilipinas, mako-consider this time," Teo added.

Casino plan

As for the reported plan of a Macau-based casino operator to build a $500-million casino resort in Boracay, Teo said they are not in favor of the project.

"Hindi kami in favor. And that's not true. Wala pa kaming nare-receive na merong itatayo. So far wala," she said.

"Ang aming kinukuwan ngayon is the rehab of Boracay, that is very important sa amin," Teo explained.

"Doon na lang sila sa Caticlan. 'Wag na lang sa island," she said.

On March 21, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation granted Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its local partner Leisure & Resorts World Corp. a provisional license for the $500-million integrated casino resort.

Duterte on Monday afternoon clarified that there is no plan so far for the government to entertain a casino project on Boracay island.

"Wala akong plano diyan [na] casino-casino. Tama na 'yan kasi sobra na. Casino dito, casino doon. Give it to the people who need it most," he said in a press conference in Davao City before heading out to China.

"In the meantime, there's no plan. My order was to clean it up. So mag-clean, sarado. There's one way in, one way out," he said. —KG, GMA News