ILOILO CITY — A posh hotel in Boracay has clarified that it is not accepting guests at the resort and is fully compliant with the closure of the island for six months.
Chroma Hospitality Inc., which manages Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, made the clarification after photographs of actress Alice Dixson celebrating her birthday on the island triggered questions from netizens and some residents.
READ: Netizens question presence of actress in Boracay despite shutdown
“The resort is not violating any government regulation regarding the closure. It is not accepting and entertaining guests at the resort, contrary to the articles released in the media where actress Alice Dixson was seen on the island,” the hotel said in a statement.
“Ms. Dixson is the partner of a top executive of Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay. They are both residents of the island with proper documentation. This has been confirmed and verified during an inquiry done by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” it added.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III earlier confirmed that Dixson is a resident of the island. Yapak village officials also issued a confirmation that the couple resides in the area.
“We continue to support the government’s initiative to rehabilitate the island to ensure its long-term sustainability and we look forward to welcoming our valued guests here at Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, once the island reopens,” Chroma Country Manager James Montenegro said in the statement.
The island was closed to tourists on April 26 for a six-month rehabilitation program.
READ: Duterte approves 6-month closure of Boracay, starting April 26
Under government-issued guidelines, only residents, registered workers, accredited journalists, and people involved in the rehabilitation activities can enter the island.
In emergency cases, other persons may enter the island upon approval of the Boracay Security Committee.
The protocols on access to the island have been placed on closer scrutiny after a group of European visitors who were allowed to visit the indigenous people’s group, the Ati, were later allowed to swim at the main beach.
This was in violation of the policy that only residents can swim in designated areas.
Last week, security personnel prevented members of a humanitarian mission from going to the island purportedly for failing to comply with protocols. The group wanted to distribute rice to residents who lost their livelihood when the island was closed to tourists. /ee