DOT VI all set for Boracay reopening

The Department of Tourism asserts its readiness for the reopening of Boracay Island later this year.

This is DOT’s position to the Senate Resolution No. 705 introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" f. Trillanes, a resolution directing the Senate Committee on Tourism and Other approriate Senate Committee/s to look into,in aid of legislation, the Administration's Rehabilitation Plan on Boracay, and further, Assess the Readiness of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other related government agencies in assisting the residents of Boracay, the workers, and the business establishments that will be affected by the impending six-month closure of the island with the end in view of determining whether there is a need for a remedial legislation.

There are on-going trainings happening in mainland Panay and Boracay Island to ensure that the tourism manpower in the island is all set for the reopening.

More upcoming trainings and livelihood opportunities are scheduled such as, but not limited to, Developmental Training and Institutionalizations of an Indigenous People Cultural Group for IP Community, Tourism Awareness Seminar for IP Community, Tourism Enterprise Innovation & Self Reinvention Technique Seminar for Small & Medium Scale Tourism Enterprises, and Tour Guiding Training.

Tourism frontliners already had a basic Chinese Mandarin Language Training and a Training on International Standards for Hospitality Service for Waiters, Front Office Staff, Housekeeping, etc. Meanwhile, the tourism stakeholders had a Tourism Innovation and Self-Reinvention Techniques Seminar.

"We are now conducting different kinds of trainings for the Boracay frontliners, stakeholders and Indigenous People to ensure that they are ready for the reopening of Boracay Island on October 26. Aside from that, the Department of Tourism Region VI will also provide adequate assistance, especially to the residents of the island, that's why some of the trainings to be conducted are for livelihood”, DOT Region VI Regional Director Helen Catalbas said.

Meanwhile, the DOT also encourages the owners of tourism establishments in the island to be compliant to all of the requirements imposed by the government as a pre-requisite to DOT accreditation of tourism establishments.

There's a total of 16,535 arrivals during the Boracay rehabilitation for the period April 26 to June 30, 2018. This number includes arrivals residents, foreign residents, workers, national agencies and media.