Boracay closure

[Snowy79]

I can't post a link as it's on another forum but it appears Boracay will close for 6 months as of the 26th of April. 

I have an apartment there that I rent out and guests are cancelling now as their flights have alsio been cancelled due to the closure. 

Moderator's note.  Link added here

Quote

 

 President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the total closure for 6 months of Boracay effective April 26, his spokesman confirmed Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte approved during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting the recommendation of the interior, environment, and tourism departments to close Boracay for 6 months to give way to its rehabilitation.

The island will be fully closed to tourism, according to Roque.

Duterte, who has described Boracay as a cesspool, had already said he was amenable to a 6-month closure of the island, even as the trade department proposed a phased closure of the island paradise in consideration of the locals who depend on the tourism industry for their livelihood.

 

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by Dave Hounddriver

[JDDavao II]

That's gotta hurt, Snowy79.

Cebu Pacific said that a small number of flights to Kalibo and Caticlan will remain on the airlines' schedules to facilitate basic transportation for commerce and residents. I can't imagine how this is going to play out. They said certain calamity funds will be used to cover workers' compensation but, man, they only have 20-days to come up with a system of distribution.

As far as I know, the powers that be haven't even decided what will be done during the six-month closure, only that something will be.

[Dave Hounddriver]

Makes me think of this old saw

[Snowy79]

The calamity payments will bite those getting paid cash in hand. I'd hazzard a guess over 50% aren't on any official payroll. 

[RBM]

Well some of the larger leveraged hotels will sure take a hit.

Snowy, dust of the Scottish cobwebs, gona be some bargains to be found there soon.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I think this is going to turn into one of the biggest politically sponsored land grabs in a long time.  The Chinese will finally get that giant casino they have been wanting. 

[Jollygoodfellow]

Silly idea for complete closure. The loss of income for so many. Lots of business will probably close up without the funds to re open. Why they couldn't solve problems progressively I dont know. And even when it reopens it will take a long time to get the tourist back because of uncertainty amongst those looking at places to spend a vacation. then the other factor is those business that are legal, connected to a sewage system and doing the right thing are penalized by those who dont.

How are those who depend on tourist going to eat for the next 6 months? 

 

[Guy F.]

4 hours ago, Tukaram (Tim) said:

I think this is going to turn into one of the biggest politically sponsored land grabs in a long time.  The Chinese will finally get that giant casino they have been wanting. 

That line of thinking occurred to me as well. Then I read someplace that they have already purchased the land, 23 hectares of it.

[Dave Hounddriver]

https://www.rappler.com/nation/199623-cheat-sheet-what-expect-boracay-closure

Quote

 

CHEAT SHEET: What to expect from Boracay closure

Rappler summarizes important details given by Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Interior Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre during a Palace press conference on Thursday, April 5.

For how long will Boracay be closed to tourists? The closure will begin on April 26. The 6-month period announced on Tuesday is the maximum period. If the clean-up of the island goes smoothly and is sped up, there could be a "soft opening" of Boracay to tourists in "3 to 4 months," said Densing.

Boracay is being closed from what? Boracay will be closed to foreign and local tourists. Entry and exit of residents will not be barred. The government said it will find a way to help tourists who had already booked tickets and hotel rooms in the island during the period covered by the closure.

This could be done with the help of the private sector, for example, airlines that are willing to refund or rebook plane tickets to another destination. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo will also talk to tourism operators to convince hotels and resorts to refund hotel room payments or rebook their rooms for a later date.

What will happen during the 6-month closure? Before April 26, Duterte is expected to declare a state of calamity in Boracay to facilitate quicker release of funds for the clean-up.

Late April to August would be devoted to "validating" each establishment's compliance to environmental rules and regulations, especially those pertaining to the proper disposal and treatment of sewage and garbage.

A bulk of the work will be fixing the sewerage system and garbage disposal system of Boracay. The 3 sewerage lines will be rehabilitated and new water treatment facilities will be built.

The government will also dismantle 948 illegal structures on forest land. Meanwhile, there are "102 or 109" buildings or resorts that violate the 30-meter easement rule – the distance from the shoreline where construction is allowed. Owners of these buildings or resorts must voluntarily demolish them or else government will.

What about the businesses and livelihood of locals? It's not yet clear if establishments confirmed to be compliant to regulations will enjoy certain perks.

But Duterte specified that calamity funds would be used to help individuals whose livelihood will be affected by the closure. These funds should not go to businesses, he said. The Department of Labor and Employment has assured affected individuals that an initial 5,000 people will be paid minimum wage.

Roque also said that the amount of manpower needed for the clean-up itself could very well provide jobs for those workers.

What awaits violators? Owners of establishments proven to have violated laws may face cease and desist orders and even criminal cases.

How about local government officials who helped violators? The Department of the Interior and Local Government is also investigating local government officials who may be responsible for or complicit in the violations of the private sector. Administrative or criminal cases will be filed on or before April 14, the start of the election gun ban and prohibition on use of police bodyguards.

 

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

18 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

What to expect from Boracay closure

Cant see how detailed plans as well as things like pipes etc will be organised in such a short time.