This Week in Boracay (May 18 to 24, 2019)

The temperature in the island will continue to be at its peak at 32°C and be at a minimum of 29°C. [1] While it will be mostly sunny all throughout, some showers and thunderstorms can still be felt in the middle of the week. Since the rain could strike anytime, bringing an umbrella is a good piece of advice. It will also be needed as protection against too much heat if ever the rains do not come.

The Department of Tourism has started the 2,000-passenger cap for cruise arrivals [2]. Since April, no cruise ships carrying 2,000 passengers are allowed to dock in Boracay. Cruise ships will also be banned during major holidays such as the National Heroes Day, All Saints’ Day, All Soul’s Day.

As months pass since the reopening of the island, more establishments are given certification to operate by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The latest advisory from DOT showed that 347 hotels and resorts are now allowed to accept reservations [3]. These compliant accommodations comprise a total of 12,876 rooms. However, these establishments first need to secure clearances and permits from both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) before they can operate.

Digital payment method is now starting to gain popularity in Boracay. According to PayMaya Philippines, the digital payments arm of PLDT’s Voyager Innovations Inc, more travelers are choosing cashless transactions [4]. To help boost the tourism industry in Boracay, the company has established a mobile-based cashless ecosystem in the island. With this, guests can already pay using only their mobile phones in hundreds of merchants for food, accommodation, merchandise, and even transportation.

“The law must be applied to all nationalities.” This is the firm marching order of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat [5]. She made this declaration after she was asked about the increased number of Chinese-owned establishments in the island. Puyat likewise ordered to arrest violators of the island’s local rules and regulations regardless of their nationalities. “Well I really didn’t ask how many establishments were owned by Chinese, Koreans, etc. But whatever nationality, even if they are Filipinos, if they do something wrong, then they should be arrested. Like for littering, the usual violations,” Puyat said.

For more updates on Boracay, check out Yoorekka!