On Tuesday, Malay acting mayor Frolibar Bautista said he would explain to government officials why Boracay Island’s visitor capacity was surpassed during Holy Week.
“Well i-explain namin ‘yan. Normal naman ‘yan kasi alam mo for almost 2 years kasi ang Boracay talagang nahirapan. Walang halos bisita,” he told ANC’s “Rundown”.
“Nag-expect talaga na maraming darating pero ‘yun na nga hindi na naisipan nag-exceed na pala,” he added.
During Holy Week, the number of tourists on Boracay Island exceeded the government’s mandated carrying capacity of 19,000, set after the world-famous resort was rehabilitated in 2018.
On April 14 and 15, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said 21,252 and 22,519 vacationers arrived on the island, respectively.
She has since called for criminal charges against Malay local government officials for allegedly violating health and safety protocols.
COVID-19 Alert Level 1 is in effect in Aklan until April 30.
Meanwhile, a tourism official predicted that few people would visit Boracay Island via land.
“More people are doing other mode of transportation because, in the previous month, we are looking at 80 to 90 percent of people traveling by air,” Cristine Mansinares, director of the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas, also told “Rundown.”
“So, we did not expect, even the LGU, that more will be using the land travel to go to the island.”
Aklan mayor admits Boracay exceeded capacity during Holy Week
Airlines have a daily seat capacity of over 5,000 passengers on Boracay Island.
Mansinares advises travelers that while Aklan is still under COVID-19 Alert Level 1, they must apply for a QR code, stay in a DOT-accredited lodging establishment, and fill out a health declaration form.
She stated that they would be more conscious about the volume of tourists coming in during the forthcoming Labor Day holiday.
“Because we really wanted to promote quality experience for our guests. So it’s more on the relaxation, serenity of the place, and Boracay now is really ideal for family trips,” she said.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the Malay town government in Aklan would be issued a warning after Boracay Island’s carrying capacity was exceeded during Holy Week.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told GMA News’ Unang Balita that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año will issue the warning.
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