CCCI on Boracay Closure: “Let’s Think of the Positives”
“A sad day for Boracay and for the people affected,” said CCCI President Consul Antonio N. Chiu on April 26, 2018 during the CBM 2018 Press Conference when the CCCI CBM 2018 Working Committee was asked to comment on the controversial closure of Boracay Island as mandated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The CCCI President then told everyone to “think of the positives,” as he pointed that the island is in need of “sustainable handling,” adding that the local government of the island must “manage resources well,” and to take care of the environment.
Boracay island got into hot waters lately, due to the controversial closure order of the island by no other than President Duterte himself, saying “Boracay is a cesspool,” during a business forum in Davao City on February 9, 2018. The president was deeply concerned over environmental and sanitation issues that has plagued Boracay in recent years, along with a high number of establishments that do not comply with standards set by the government for sanitation and environmental care.
The island has also been a hotspot for party-goers in recent years, with local and foreign tourists swarming into the island for big events such as LaBoracay, a big summer party event that has become a somewhat a cultural activity in the island annually. The event, which is celebrated every May 1 or Labor Day, was mentioned at times as one of the reasons why April 26 was chosen as the starting date for the closure order—to prevent the event from happening so as to protect the island from further damage.
Though the starting date for the closure of Boracay was set on summer, the time where the island enjoys its peak season economically, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that the closure will have “minimal effect on the national economy.”
Cebu to be affected with the closure
Cebu, being one of the tourism hotspots in the Visayas region, will be affected with the closure of Boracay. CCCI, during the press conference said that they are expecting an influx of tourists in Cebu, along with workers from Boracay that were laid off due to the closure of the island. CCCI President Consul Antonio N. Chiu also emphasized the need for Cebu to learn from the mistakes of Boracay, saying that the unfortunate closure of the island should be a wake-up call for Cebu. “Don’t wait for nature to force it on us, let’s take care of the environment,” he added.
