Less than 10% of Boracay businesses fully compliant with requirements

LESS THAN 200 out of the 2,269 tourist establishments in Boracay Island are so far fully compliant with the set requirements for reopening, an official of the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas (DoT-6) said, citing latest data from the Boracay Inspection Committee. “While the other aspects like the quality of water are very fast in terms of results, but compliance with other rules and regulations imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the local government of Malay is rather slow,” DoT-6 Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas said last Friday. “So meaning to say, even if Boracay is open already for tourists… those who are non-compliant will remain closed,” she added. Each establishment has to comply with six to seven requirements before they are given the DoT accreditation seal, including environmental certificates, fire safety clearance, and legal permits. Boracay is on a six-month closure since April 26 for rehabilitation after the President dubbed the popular island destination a “cesspool.” Compliance to the requirements is part of the agreement of the Inter-Agency Task Force headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DoT, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. — Louine Hope U. Conserva