Tourist spots with issues like Boracay may also be closed

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Other tourist spots with violations in their maintenance may be shut down if local government units (LGUs) could not comply with the requirements, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.

Año said this after Boracay island was recently re-opened to visitors after undergoing six months of rehabilitation.

“Titingnan natin. Kung talagang nakita natin na talagang [there is] violation, isasara natin,” he told reporters in chance interview.

[We will look at it. If we see that there really is violation, we might close it.]

Año said the DILG had also received a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte to inspect other resorts and tourist areas in the country to prevent it from ending up like Boracay.

READ: Duterte to execs: Palawan may be closed like Boracay

He clarified, however, that total closure would not be needed if the LGUs could rehabilitate the tourist areas without closing it to visitors. He said Boracay’s case was different since the island badly needed rehabilitation.

Año said the DILG would prioritize inspections in El Nido and Coron in Palawan, after the agency received reports of violations in other tourist spots.

He said local officials who would be found liable might also face charges.

“Dapat lahat sa buong Pilipinas na may mga resort areas and tourist spots, dapat ayusin na natin iyan,”

[All areas in the Philippines which have resort and tourist spots should be rehabilitated.]

Año also expressed hope that local officials would continue addressing the concerns of the tourist areas in their places, as he said the case of Boracay served as an example of the need to give attention to other tourist spots. /atm