The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, April 17, has released the rules and guidelines to be followed during the 6-month closure of Boracay.
Gerry Loresco, senior executive assistant of Interior Department officer-in-charge Eduardo Año, said the following are the primary rules that will be enforced during the 6-month closure of the island paradise. Locals, expatriates, and journalists are expected to follow these rules.
1. No tourists allowed
Tourists shall not be allowed entry into the island and shall be stopped at the Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan.
2. No ID, no entry
Residents, workers, resort owners shall be allowed entry into the island, subject to the presentation of identification cards specifying that they are residing or have businesses in Boracay.
All government-issued IDs are acceptable, as long as they are accompanied with barangay certifications of residence.
3. Swimming allowed only for locals
Swimming shall not be allowed anywhere in the island. However, residents may be allowed to swim only in Angol Beach, located in Station 3, from 6 am to 5 pm.
4. No visitors
No visitors of Boracay shall be allowed entry, except under emergency situations. Only those with clearance from the Boracay Security Committee composed of a DILG representative, the police, and local government officials shall be allowed to enter Boracay Island.
5. Journalists not allowed to stay in the island
Media shall be allowed entry subject to prior approval from the Department of Tourism “with a definite duration and limited movement.
6. No floating structures
No floating structures shall be allowed up to 15 kilometers from the shoreline. These include boats and personal watercrafts (jet skis).
7. Foreign residents to be checked
The Bureau of Immigration shall revalidate the papers of foreigners living in Boracay.
8. One entry, one exit point
There shall only be one transportation point to Boracay Island. Authorities have yet to decide where these entry and exit points will be.
