Punishing the compliant for the wickedness of a few?

At the Bale Mi Hotel, one may find a unique warning for guests: "Henna Tattoo Stains on Linens and Towels are Fully Charged."

Plastic monobloc chairs and a laminated "menu" of tattoo patterns might not be the first thing that comes to mind when Boracay is brought up, but now that the island is closing, the artists peddling their skills are the first to go.

MaiMai has been doing Henna Tattoos and braids at the beachfront for 12 years, and, a day before the official closure, she told GMA News Online with surprising nonchalance that she'll be packing her bags and moving back to Antique. Just like that.

On April 26, the day the island is officially closed to the tourists, she said she might sit on the sand and say goodbye to the island. For six months at least. She has every intention of going back.

Although originally from Antique, Boracay is her home now. It's where she met her husband -- a tourist turned local -- and hustling at the beach for over a decade actually put a roof over her head.

It's no wonder she spoke in extremes when asked how she felt when she learned of the closure: "Nadurog ang puso ko," she told GMA News Online.

MaiMai built a home with money made from Henna tattooing and braiding PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

People like MaiMai are out of frame in vacation photos yet it's their charm that lends color to the white sand beaches of Boracay. They not only make a living working on the island -- they made a life on the island.

MaiMai said she understands that there is a problem, but, like many, she was shocked by the urgency with which the government wanted to implement the lockdown.

"Nabigla kami, hindi kami nakapaghanda," she said. "Pero kailangang maging malakas. Lahat naapektuhan so tulungan na lang."

White sand made Boracay famous and in the end, the beauty became blinding.

From small stalls selling trinkets, large resorts took over the island, each promising to be closer and closer to the pristine shore that soon enough no longer existed.

Crime of some, punishment for all

Evelyn Isturia, a native of Aklan, has been working at 7Stones Boracay Suites for 10 years and she recognizes the problem the tourism boom in Boracay caused.

"Sobra na ang pagtatayo ng buildings," she told GMA News Online, "Naisip ko baka balang araw biglang malunod na 'yong isla."

Evelyn means this in the literal sense. She and D'Mall shopkeepers Rose (not her real name) and Jean Capispisan talk about the troubling floods that hit the island.

They all acknowledge the drainage problem and Evelyn said they were among the first to raise a red flag when the poor pipe laying on the island began affecting the water.

"Syempre, kami ang magre-report niyan kasi kami ang mawawalan ng guests," Evelyn said, adding that the resort she works for has always been compliant and the owners are conscious about their environmental impact.

According to her, 7Stones was not issued an order to vacate and were not notified of any violations aside from the new 25 + 5 expansion of the easement. Even then, they're willing to work with the government, but moving forward is difficult without written orders.

They're also making an appeal against demolishing structures, as they complied with the initial 25 meters from the shore. As of Wednesday, Evelyn said that they have not received a response to their appeal.

Behind white sand beaches are these muddy roads. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

Only five rooms were occupied at 7Stones on Wednesday. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

Evelyn said it is hard not to feel disappointed, especially since nearly 90% of their staff is being let go.

"[We're being] punished sa bagay na hindi namin kasalanan," she said.

Mitch Rosal of Los Indio Bravos shared a similar sentiment and expressed dismay in people "taking advantage" of the many opportunities Boracay had to offer. For her, it seems clear that poor planning led to the current complicated situation.

"It's hard to say if it's really just the government, but siguro kung na-control from the start at the local or provincial level... I don't really want to assert anything, pero sa akin, kung sa permits...meron bang problems sa pag-check bago nila i-approve all of these things? Na-consider ba nila na kayang i-accomodate kapag nagtayo 'yan diyan? Connected ba 'yan sa supply ng electricity, connected sa drainage?" Mitch said.

A fairly new establishment, Urban Boutique Hotel, is dealing with the closure just a year after opening.

Like Los Indios Bravos and 7 Resorts, they said that they have not been issued a notice of violation or a notice to vacate. They simply must send-off their guests before Thursday, in compliance with the ban.

The admin head, Ethel Laxamana, said there's a little resentment, but at least their staff will be absorbed in companies in Manila.

Most workers aren't that lucky.

Isle Veggies Shop is nearly empty. The shopkeeper said that they didn’t place large orders as restaurants are closing soon. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

Marooned in paradise

Los Indios Bravos had to let the entire staff go and the management is doing its best to provide assistance to the workers.

Mitch said that it was frustrating to deal with the frenzy of new rules with which to comply. "Sa mga staff, sana na-prepare nila 'yong pag-profile, na-prepare na nila kung paano 'yong mga displaced employees. Hindi 'yong sa ngayon, ultimo 'yong 'pag apply ng barangay ID biglaan...may bagong terminal pass or merong mga deadlines na sobrang short lang."

Adding to the frustration is the fact that the employees are still reporting for work.

At 7 Stones is operating as normal until the 26th and bookings are accepted until the 28th.

A number of stalls at D'Mall decided to remain open as they have already paid the rent until the end of May, some are planning to open twice a month while others will close up shop on April 30.

Marked for demolition. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

Some establishments have chosen to destroy their own structures. They say the government has not offered financial aid for the cost of demolition. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

The Department of Labor and Employment have made minor interactions with the businesses. The agency sent forms for staff profile, but Mitch, Evelyn, and Rose said that the most that has been offered is fare for the workers to return home.

This financial assistance is of no use to people like Nazareth Hekin, whose sari-sari store is part of her home. And that home will be affected by the road widening project that aims to boost “accessibility” as part of the island’s rehabilitation.

Nazareth said they have not been approached by anyone yet about vacating their home and being relocated. She’ll be at her shop, as everyone else is. Everyone is waiting for further instructions.

Nazareth Hekin’s small store will be demolished, per the markings made by officials. The road widening will actually reach the living room of her home. PHOTO BY AYA TANTIANGCO

Employees seem to be confused about how the closure works and every employee GMA News Online approached said that they only learned about the closure through the news.

They weren’t approached by anyone and some of them were expecting President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw his order.

Food servers wonder out loud whether there will be guests on the 26th. At the famous Hobbit Tavern, the staff couldn't agree when they'll be closing their doors. The manager was not in at the time to give an official statement.

Marlyn, one of the employees at the Hobbit Tavern, summed up the situation as: "Walang kasiguraduhan." — BAP, GMA News