Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has confirmed closure of Boracay for six months. This information was confirmed in his Twitter account.
Bora closed for 6 mos effective 26 April
— Harry Roque (@attyharryroque) April 4, 2018
According to reports, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the interior, environment, and tourism departments will be fully closed to tourism for six months. The island would have to undergo rehabilitation.
Last February, President Duterte has labeled this tourist destination as ” cesspool” because of the the water contamination and sanitary condition of the island. He has warned back then of shutting down business operations.
“I will close Boracay. Boracay is a cesspool…You go into the water, it’s smelly. Smell of what? Sh**. Because it all comes out in Boracay,” Duterte said.
(Read: Duterte warns shutting down Boracay)
This decision will surely affect the upcoming so called “LaBoracay” parties or annual Labor Day parties. Last March, Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro stated that the tourism, interior, and environment departments have recommended all “LaBoracay” parties to be cancelled.
Stakeholders affected by the closure has estimated job losses for 36,000 people and P56 billion in lost revenue. They have appealed of particla closure instead.
Senior deputy executive secretary Menardo Guevarra said that calamity funds will be activated to assist workers who will be affected.
