Parties will still be allowed in Boracay -DENR

ENVIRONMENT

(Photo: pna.gov.ph)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been creating new regulations ahead of the reopening of Boracay on October 26 after its six-month closure and rehabilitation.

In a press statement, Sherwin Rigor, undersecretary of the DENR, said it will not ban all parties on the island and grilling and other activities will still be allowed if these were done indoors and not on the beach.

Rigor said that construction of platforms for stage shows and the setting up of tables, chairs, massage beds, beach umbrellas, souvenir shops and food stalls on the beach will strictly be prohibited.

Electrical fixtures, such as lightings and wirings, will also be removed and banned from the beachfront vegetation area and within the 30-meter easement area or “no-build zone,” Rigor added.

These prohibitions would be imposed along the famed White Beach Stations 1, 2 and 3, as well as Puka, Ilig-Iligan and Bulabog beaches.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda also disputed the contents of the infographic that had been circulating online called “New Boracay Do’s and Don’ts,” which claimed that grilling meat would be prohibited.

Designated zones for ambulant vendors will be set up instead of letting them roam around selling souvenirs and other items to tourists.

Rigor said businesses like bars and restaurants should install sound insulation systems to minimize noise pollution on the island.

While according to Antiporda, water activities like parasailing, skim boarding, banana boat rides and other related activities were only temporarily suspended. Suspension will be lifted once the results are in for the assessment of the marine ecosystems of the island. Results are expected to be submitted before October 26.