This Week in Boracay and Iloilo (January 24 to 30, 2021)

In a signed Executive Order (EO) No. 01, Series of 2021, the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Antique is extended until the end of the month. Governor Rhodora Cadiao issued the EO following an order from the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. Under the EO, public safety protocols and requirements for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) remain unchanged [1].

All residents of Guimaras will be receiving free COVID-19 vaccines which will be provided by its provincial government. A budget of PhP50 million to PhP70 million was allotted for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, but the LGU of Guimaras has not decided which vaccine brand to get. According to Guimaras Vice Governor John Edward Gando, the vaccination will be voluntary; still, he hopes that the residents will value the importance of the vaccine [2].

To uphold Boracay’s tourism infrastructures and services, non-Aklanon tourists and foreigners entering the island will have to pay a higher environmental fee starting February 1, 2021. Under Municipal Ordinance No. 431, non-Aklanon tourists will have to pay PhP150 while foreigners have to pay PhP300. The previous environmental fee for both types of tourists was PhP75. In addition to this, tourists entering the Caticlan Jetty Port will also have to pay a PhP100 terminal fee.

With Boracay regarded as one of the country’s top beach destinations, its local government relies on the arrival of domestic tourists for income since the entry of foreigners from inbound markets is restricted due to the ongoing pandemic [3].

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Boracay and Iloilo.