DOT looking to rehabilitate other tourist spots after Boracay

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Puyat said that other tourist spots might also undergo rehabilitation following the completion of the project in Boracay.

The world-famous island was closed to tourists for six months in order to bring back its pristine beauty. Speaking at the OCEAN 18 Summit in Mactan, Puyat said that the rehabilitation in Boracay will not be the last.

Coron, El Nido, La Union, and Panglao, Bohol have already been evaluated, and Mactan is now also up for evaluation.

Puyat assured that the rehabilitation in Boracay will be replicated in other Philippine tourist destinations that need it.

“We will enjoin concerned government agencies and LGUs to strictly enforce relevant business and environmental laws,” she added.

Protecting nature

President Rodrigo Duterte spoke on the 1st Subaraw Biodiversity Festival in Palawan on Sunday night. During the event, she reminded Palawan to “protect your crown jewel… which is really yung mga magagandang lugar (the beautiful places in your province).”

Duterte also said that overcrowding should be avoided especially in El Nido. He added that hotels should not be allowed to operate near the seas.

Since Boracay has reopened, the number of tourists on the island would be limited to 19,215 people on any given day. This measure aims to prevent overcrowding in the island.