Boracay revisited

Our “Eat, Drive and Pray” band of adventurers has finally made it to Boracay, and after spending several nights on the No. 1 beach in the world, we have mixed reviews about the island and its current status. As I mentioned in my earlier column, there is a serious need for the DENR, DILG and DOT to go back and include a clean up and redesign of the Caticlan area that caters to tourists. Those unfamiliar with the town will surely get stressed out trying to figure where things are, where to park or leave vehicles overnight, especially what the step by step procedures are when going through the passenger ferry terminal. Directional signs are so tiny if not non-existent. When we entered the main terminal, it was hot and dark because typhoon Ursula had knocked out the power. This however is not an excuse because such a facility should have its own emergency power generator that is large enough to support lights, computers and air-conditioning.

When we got to the registration counters, the young ladies were cheerful and helpful and asked us to show proof of our hotel bookings. When I asked about tourist numbers and loads no one really knew and there were no electronic LEDs indicating the current number of people on the island as per regulations on carrying capacity and daily entrance. I found out from several sources that government personnel monitoring the influx allegedly do so between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or government office hours. Locals tell me that a big number of unauthorized people enter the island before or after the 8 to 5 watch. Because tourists, employees or regular residents are not requested or required to wear “baller bands” or some sort of ID, there is no way of knowing who illegally enter the island. This explains the big number of hawkers, “commissioners” offering island hopping, para-gliding and banana boat trips, as well as people offering hair extension and braiding on side streets.

Upon arriving on Boracay itself, the first challenge was finding a tricycle or a van to get us to our hotel. The designated parking was not properly fenced, shaded, and organized with guard rails. The area was not paved or covered with concrete and there was no system except someone collecting the payment for the vans. Who gets the money? Does the national or local government get a share or does it line some politician’s pockets? As we drove through the main and inner streets every gas station was crowded with people and hundreds of plastic fuel containers and one station had an ominous sign saying “No Diesel until Jan. 2.” A local told me that even the e-trikes were affected because they could not recharge fast enough! As a result of the typhoon, most establishments were running on generators that would have to be cooled down for two hours after a ten-hour run. Again, let’s not use the typhoon as an excuse. With all the employment, profit and taxes that Boracay generates, the least that the government should do through the Dept. of Energy and the Dept. of Tourism and DILG is to make Boracay “storm-proof” by installing alternative fuel sources such as giant wind turbines (which have been installed on Caticlan near the San Miguel Corp Airport), a solar farm like those installed in Negros province, and maybe ask Petron to set up a bigger than normal fuel storage and filling facility that will ensure against shortages or poor delivery because the gas stations on the island don’t have commercial size generators.

If Sec. Roy Cimatu and Sec. Berna Romulo Puyat went to Boracay I’m sure they would have been pissed off to see uncollected piles of commercial garbage bagged in plastic and sitting right along the pathway of tourists from all over the world. In any other country dependent on tourists, there would be dumpsters or at least a lot more garbage bins on wheels. Why not make this mandatory for all establishments In Boracay? We also saw several protruding sewage pipes, covers and PVS pipes along the main pathway that could hurt or injure tourists. Considering all the money collected for environmental impact or protection, why did the garbage go uncollected for several days? Speaking of fees being collected, a local resident pointed out to us a nice looking blue pontoon about 100 meters long where all passengers of island hopping boats and the likes are required to use for the small amount of P30. You might say it’s a small amount but compare that to the P30 boat ride from Caticlan to Boracay! Small until you multiply P30 by several thousands a month then the amount becomes several million pesos collected with no receipts and based only on an alleged executive order. Calling on the political trinity overlooking Boracay: Please explain who built and runs the pontoon bridges at station 1 and station 2? Was this publicly bid out, which agency gets revenues from the mysterious P30 pesos times thousands? Why are operators not issued receipts for the said amount?

Another resident shared with me that there seems to be two laws in Boracay on the Smoking Ban. If you are a local, you will almost surely be accosted or arrested for smoking in the beach. But if you are a foreigner, you could get away with it because someone at the Mayor’s Office does not want the beach patrol to arrest foreigners because it might drive the tourists away. Word is the beach patrol can’t get the Mayor’s office to issue enforcers the tickets so don’t blame the beach patrol if foreigners are puffing away in your face!

My final observation was that the beach has been cleared of obstruction, cleaned up of illegal structures and the beauty of Boracay beach has been restored. But all that press release that things have quieted down must be Fake News because the bands are still playing our songs until midnight. He he he.

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