No sandcastles, no fire dancers during dry run of Boracay reopening

Authorities may consider a ban on sandcastles, fire dancers, and a few other usual events at beach parties in Boracay during the dry run for the famous tourist destination's October 15 reopening that may only welcome residents of Aklan.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reiterated Friday on "Unang Balita" that only 3,000 rooms will be available during the "soft opening" as the resort's rehabilitation efforts are still in its first phase.

"Phase 1 pa lang 'to, kaya soft opening pa lang talaga.  Even yung roads, ang magagawa lang, yung certain portion pa lamang. Sa waste [management], nagpapatuloy," she said.

Removing certain attractions from Boracay is in line with Puyat's earlier declaration that it will no longer be advertised as a party island for conservation purposes.

However, these restrictions will not be immediate, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB's "Dobol B sa News TV."

"Ito po ay mga panukala lamang po. Hindi naman po ito yung mga sinasabi natin na parang nagdeklara ng isang bagay na ire-restrict mo kagad. Ito po yung mga napag-uusapan lamang sa inter-agency task force," Antiporda said.

On the ban on sandcastles, he claimed, "Ito po yung science-based na panukala po namin dahil ito po ay nakakadagdag po sa erosion. May chemical po 'yan para mag-dikit."

Also, he said that the local Malay government had an issue with tourists and sandcastle artists regarding payment.

"Nagkaroon rin ng issue diyan sa sandcastle na 'yan kung saan kapag nagpakuha ka ng litrato at hindi ka nagbayad sa gumawa ng sandcastle, ipipilit na ipapabura sa cellphone mo yung (picture)."  

As for fire dancers, he said, "Yun po ay ipagbabawal dahil alam naman po natin yung nak-cause din noon dun sa white sand. Yung white sand po, pinangangalagaan po natin 'yan."

Instead of using fire and gas, Antiporda suggested environment-friendly options, such as the use of LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

Parties will still be allowed on the island, but will be restricted to venues other than beach-fronts.

"Hindi na ho maari yun, sa white sand, pangangalagaan talaga," Antiporda said. —Rie Takumi/LBG, GMA News