One Entry, One Exit Policy
By Ulysses Espartero
P/Supt. William Macavinta ordered the Malay Police Station and Boracay Special Tourist Protection Unit (BSTPU) to implement the one entry, one exit policy effective November 1 this year.
The local government unit of Malay and the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) expressed no opposition after the Regional Trial Court in Kalibo has finally junked the complaint filed by Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling against the province of Aklan from the implementation of the one entry, one exit policy in Boracay Island.
"The case has been decided. We are asked by the Aklan provincial government to implement the policy in order to secure the safety of tourists coming into the island," Macavinta told the pump boat operators and and other stakeholders in Boracay.
Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Niven Maquirang confirmed the "Cagban Port in Boracay Island is designated "entry-exit point" of all vessels from Caticlan and from other points of origin as far as Romblon and Mindoro.
All vessels will now be subjected to proper port clearance before any departure with their respective passengers and cargoes of any kind to security check and inspection. The boat stations 1, 2, and 3 will be closed to any vessel starting Friday, November 1.
The enforcement of the policy is provided for in Provincial Ordinance No. 05-032 for the preservation, protection, security and safety of the provincial tourism assets and resources.
Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino stressed that "security measures to protect the tourists and the general public must be taken seriously."
"We have crafted the ordinance in order to ward off any possible attack and other criminal activities," Tolentino added.
Governor Carlito S. Marquez issued Executive Order No. 13 to immediately implement the policy stressing that Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 empowers the provincial government to issue executive orders for the faithful and appropriate enforcement and execution of laws and ordinances.
Marquez appealed for support for this security program which is in line with the continuing and intensified efforts to improve tourism facilities and condition in Boracay Island.
"Boracay island is a major tourism revenue earner of our country and for our province. The resort island is the springboard to our economic development."
"We need to constantly improve conditions in Boracay to make it globally competitive," Marquez added.
According to him, Aklan’s tourism is now a P4-billion-peso industry.
THE POLICY
Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) Chief Rex Consemino explained that privately-owned vessels may use the existing boat stations as drop-off points only of their own guests including cargoes which are for their own use or consumption provided prior clearance is secured from concerned authority.
After unloading, vessels shall be required to park and must park in the designated mooring area. All vessels shall at all times use Cagban Port only as drop-off point of passengers and cargoes.
SUPPORT
The one entry, one exit policy is strongly supported by the Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies (BARRIA) chaired by Nemesio Dalisay.
Barria contends that the implementation of the said policy is most appropriate considering the highly disorganized and mismanaged conditions of the tourism assets and its peripheral services especially with regards to transport services, land use, environmental preservation, enforcement of laws, rules and regulations, that gradually drag the Island of Boracay into the abyss of unimaginable chaos, notwithstanding the burgeoning risks of man-made calamities.
Barria is an association of small scale and medium resort/hotel owners and stakeholders. It was organized to unconditionally support, to protect, and to preserve Boracay Island. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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