WATCH: No closure for Panglao, El Nido yet, interagency task force says

MANILA, Philippines — The interagency task force composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism and Department of Interior and Local Government said it is not keen on closing Panglao, Bohol and El Nido, Palawan despite the warnings to resorts and hotels.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she and two other secretaries, DILG’s Eduardo Año and DENR’s Roy Cimatu, went to Panglao and El Nido last November to order the resorts to follow the easement laws in view of the rehabilitation for the islands.

Puyat said they gave the resort owners and management six months to comply with the easement and environmental laws before they can decide whether to close them for rehabilitation just like what they did in Boracay.

Aside from Panglao, Puyat disclosed they are also looking into rehabilitating Coron, Palawan and Siargao and other major tourist destinations such as provinces in the Cordillera region.