Smoking, drinking to be banned in Boracay’s public areas, White Beach

Smoking and drinking in public places, especially White Beach, will be prohibited in Boracay when the island reopens in October, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

"Definitely, no more drinking and smoking sa White Beach. Why? Because this is a public beach. You want your children to walk around na hindi may bubog ng glass, na hindi may cigarette butts," Puyat said during the Meet with Inquirer multimedia forum on Tuesday.

"Very sure ito, no smoking and drinking in the public places. Definitely there will be an easement, 2.5. That will be enforced by the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources]," Puyat added.

She clarified that tourists and vacationers may smoke or drink in private areas: "They can smoke and drink where they stay, in private. But the long beach has to be protected," she said.

Puyat earlier disclosed that Boracay will no longer be a party place, noting that rebranding the island into a normal tourist destination will be the priority of the government.

She also encouraged the public to observe and practice sustainable tourism.

"Hindi naman puwede 'yung kung saan saan ka umiinom, nagtatapon etc.," Puyat said.

Boracay has been closed to tourists since April 26 for a six-month environmental clean up and rehabilitation.

It was announced by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu that the famous island will be reopened on October 26. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News