397 Boracay firms allowed to operate

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 397 accommodation establishments in Boracay have been allowed to accept guests as the island is set to welcome local tourists next week, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported over the weekend.

Of the 397 establishments, 25 are hotels, 80 are resorts and 292 are Mabuhay accommodations or the accommodation for the low-end sector.

The DOT issued certificates of authority to operate (CAO) to establishments that intend to resume operation under the community quarantine.

Tourists who are planning to go to Boracay starting on Oct. 1 are advised to check the list of accommodation establishments accredited by the DOT.

On Thursday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the reopening of Boracay to tourists from areas classified under general community quarantine and from those with lower quarantine levels.

It also approved a proposal to relax the age restriction in accepting tourists to the island.

Tourists are required to undergo swab test or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test within 48  to 72 hours before travel.

They are also advised to undergo quarantine immediately after undergoing the test until the time of their travel to the island.

Mayor Froilan Bautista of Malay, Aklan earlier said that tourists should have hotel bookings or other accommodations before visiting the island.

“After booking, they need to register through the mobile app of the province of Aklan,” Bautista said in Filipino.

The app registration will give each tourist a QR Code, which must be presented upon their entry to Boracay.

Tourists will also be required to fill out health declaration forms online.

During a meeting on Thursday, the Boracay inter-agency task force agreed to the use of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan as the lone entry point for tourists going to the island.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the reopening of Boracay to new market sources signals a gathering momentum for domestic tourism all over the country.

“We are pleased that the Boracay inter-agency task force and the provincial and local governments prioritized the health and safety measures as we welcome guests to the island,” Puyat said.