NANCY WANTS STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF TOURIST LIMIT IN BORACAY AS PEAK SEASON NEARS

With the expected influx of tourists in Boracay in the coming months, Senator Nancy Binay called on the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) to ensure strict monitoring and compliance of the carrying capacity of the island.

"Baka po pwede tayo bigyan ng update ng BIATF kung kumusta na ang status ng mga isinet nilang framework sa pagmo-monitor pagdating ng mga turista, at ano na ang kanilang naging evaluation at recommendations lalo na at inaasahan ang pagdagsa ng mga tao sa mga susunod na buwan," Binay said.

When Boracay was reopened October last year, the government imposed a limit of 6,405 tourist entries a day.

"Dapat po ay natuto na tayo sa naging mga pagkakamali--sa di pagpapatupad ng batas, sa pagbabalewala sa kalikasan, at sa unli-turista sa isla," Binay said.

Only 19,000 tourists will be allowed in Boracay at any given day and workers in the island must not exceed 15,000 per day to be able to maintain the 55,000 carrying capacity of the island.

Aside from strictly enforcing the daily limit on tourist arrivals, Binay also urged the inter-agency council to remain vigilant and make sure establishments in Boracay complying with environmental laws.

"Sana 'di ito ningas-cogon lamang dahil sayang lang ang ating magandang nasimulan para sa isla, at itaas po natin ang pamantayan na ating inilagay para mapangalagaan ang isla," Binay added.

One major component in the Boracay rehabilitation is the implementation of the "25+5-meter" easement along the beach. This means no structures are allowed to be put up within the 30-m area along the beach.

Structures that encroached on the easement along the white beach at the western side of the island have been removed by the owners or demolished by BIATF.

Binay also suggested that the BIATF and the local government of Malay strongly consider training personnel that would brief tourists on the "do's and don'ts" in the island.

She said ground and ferry crew, drivers, boatmen, and transport staff can also be tapped since they are already strategically placed at the island's entry points.

"Maliit lang na bagay ito, but I think it would go a long way in making sure tourists are aware of the things that are allowed or prohibited," the senator stressed.

Boracay Island was closed to tourists for six months from April 26 to Oct. 25 last year to undergo rehabilitation after.