Foreigners in Boracay allowed to ‘take dip’ for ‘humanitarian activity’ – DENR exec

Some European delegates of Genfest International were allowed to “take a dip” in Boracay waters as part of a “humanitarian activity” they were conducting for local residents, who are also allowed to swim in designated areas of the resort island.

What is forbidden on the island is “commercial swimming,” Antiporda, who is undersecretary for national solid waste management, said at the Saturday News Forum, which was held on July 7, at the University Hotel at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

Commercial swimming, he explained, is the activity engaged by tourists who check in at hotel.

A video clip of foreign delegates who dipped in Boracay waters emerged on Thursday, which became controversial since the island is currently under rehabilitation.

According to Antiporda, the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force Security Council permitted the delegates to take a dip in Boracay waters as part of their humanitarian activity with the Ati community on the island.

Local residents, he added, were allowed to swim in certain parts of Boracay. Since the delegates were guest of the residents, they were also allowed to swim in those parts. /atm