‘Floating coffins,’ a thing of the past

By ULYSSES ESPARTERO

MALAY, Aklan – Floating coffins will be a thing of the past as a result of the “one entry, one exit” policy implemented by the provincial government and enforced by Task Force Bantay Boracay.

Flatboats, used during low tide to transport tourists from bancas to the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports, have been tagged as “floating coffins” as accidents happen onboard, where from luggage to guests fell into the water especially at night.

The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) proposed that flatboats should be removed from the system because they are dangerous.

Karen Reina of Mandala Spa even described the faltboats as “cheap, old and rusty.”
Even during high tide, tourism stakeholders here wonder why flatboats are used.

The Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies (BARRIA) called on the local officials to protect the tourists and the residents of the island and implement the “one entry, one exit policy” immediately.

“We do not want to wait for misfortunes to happen before we get our acts together. If in the future, they will happen, who will pay for the damages? Who will shoulder the responsibility,” one observer who refused to be named noted.

The Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) earlier expressed opposition to the system but failed.

Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez said the change in the present transport system in Boracay was reinforced because he the island is the “crown jewel of the Philippines tourism industry.”

PS/Supt. Benigno Durana,Jr., Task Force Bantay Boracay head, urged the island’s tourism stakeholders to abide by the regulations being enforced by the authorities for the good of the island and for the welfare of its people.