Bantay Boracay bares One Entry, One Exit Policy results

By Ulyses Espartero

KALIBO, Aklan - Under the leadership of Police Senior Supt. Benigno B. Durana, Jr., the Task Force Bantay Boracay recently bared the results of the One Entry, One Exit Policy.

The implementation resulted to the following: “resolved the long-standing problem of pumpboats moored along the white beach at the three boat stations, depriving tourists of a safe swimming area and polluting the all-important beach with oil and other wastes from motorboats and their operators enforced port-to-port disembarkation and embarkation for tourists, and assure full inspection of passengers and their cargoes.”

The policy, an initiative of the provincial board, has the full endorsement of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Marina, the latter to effectively regulate the operation of sea craft in the area and get rid of what media has called the ‘primitive’ and ‘backward’ tourist transport to and from the island. Before the implementation of the policy, porters carried tourists in their shoulders to and from the flatboats.

The Caticlan Jetty Port and Passenger Terminal (CJPPT) in mainland Malay and Cagban Jetty Port in Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the island were placed under the operation of EEDD, according to Asst. Department Head Rex Consemino.

In 2006, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DOT and Marina relative to the implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 05-016 creating the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD).

Under the agreement, the Marina now accredits persons and entities engaged in the business of delivering tourism-oriented services upon the endorsement of the provincial government of their application. It will also lead in the conduct of the continuing trainings and reeducation process of all persons involved in the operation of tourism business.

CJPPT Administrator Architect Niven Maquirang confirmed that Marina established a satellite office at the jetty port for accreditation purposes.

As a response to the growing clamor for change in the transport system, DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta and Marina Regional Director Armi Arcilla endorsed the full implementation of the provincial government’s policy. The endorsement was made in a bid to streamline and put in order the movement of tourists, goods, and sea and land transports to and from the island.