Boracay closed by midnight of April 26

Foreigners enjoy a stroll on the white sand beach of Boracay Island in Aklan province. INQUIRER  / LYN RILLON

BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN–Local officials will close Boracay to tourists starting midnight on Thursday “with or without” an executive order issued by President Duterte.

In a press conference following a security simulation exercise along the long beach, Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling and Caticlan port administrator Nieven Maquirang said they would implement “the President’s order.”

Only residents and workers with identification cards and terminal passes will be allowed to purchase boat tickets and go to the island from the Caticlan jetty port.

Local government officials and government agencies have been awaiting the issuance of an executive order and a declaration of a state of calamity covering the three villages of the island.