When Boracay Island formally reopens on Oct. 26, authorities said that establishments that fail to comply with government regulations in the tourist destination should “delete” online promotional materials and stop booking rooms until complete compliance with government regulations.
This was the guideline issued by the Department of Tourism, which warned that non-compliant hotels and other establishments that accept bookings will face the “full force of law.”
In an advisory in its Facebook page, the DOT said non-compliant establishments “are hereby strongly advised to cease and desist from making room bookings or sale of occupancy starting Oct. 26, 2018 onward.”
“All online promotions and other related collateral should be deleted or put on hold until complete compliance with government regulations shall have been accomplished,” the statement read.
“Those found violating the terms of this advisory shall be dealt with full force of law,” the DOT added.
The DoT reported that as of Oct. 12, 68 out of the estimated 600 resorts and accommodations in Boracay have complied with government requirements and have been authorized to receive guests when the island reopens.
Under the island’s new rules set by the Interior and Environment departments, establishments should keep its facilities at least 30 meters away from the island’s waters, and must either have their own sewage treatment facility or be connected to authorized sewage lines.
Boracay, which President Rodrigo Duterte described as a ‘cesspool’ was closed to tourists in April for six months for rehabilitation.
The island, one of the more famous beach destinations in the entire Asian region, has grappled with sewage problems and haphazard development in recent years.
The government earlier said it also plans to limit the number of accommodations to 249 to keep the 19,000-tourist cap on the island.
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