AN initial batch of 25 resorts has been approved by the inter-agency Task Force Boracay to resume their operations when the island reopens on October 26.
A memo from the Department of Tourism (DOT) obtained by the BusinessMirror showed, among the popular resorts that have been allowed to reopen are: Discovery Shores Boracay (Balabag/Station 1); Fairways and Bluewater Beach Resort (Balabag/Station 1); Red Coconut Beach Hotel (Balabag/Station 1); Nigi-nigi Nu Noos (Balabag/Station 2); De Paris Beach Resort (Balabag/Station 2); Casa Pilar Beach Resort (Manoc-Manoc/Station 3); and The Lazy Dog (Bolabog).
The 25 rooms have an aggregate 2,063 rooms, with the largest number accounted for by Fairways and Bluewater with 700 rooms, followed by Azalea Apartment Hotel (Balabag/Station 2) with 284 rooms.
In an interview with the BusinessMirror, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Resource Generation Arturo P. Boncato Jr. said the agency will be announcing the list of compliant resorts every Friday. “These resorts have been deemed compliant with all necessary government permits, clearances, and accreditations with relevant government agencies,” he stressed.
Among the most difficult hurdles Boracay establishments have to overcome are securing an environmental clearance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. For resorts, specifically, they are expected to comply with DENR’s order to build a sewerage treatment plant on their property, or in clusters with other resorts, depending on their number of rooms.
A one-stop shop at CityMall continues to operate while establishments on the island secure their necessary permits to reopen. There, representatives from the DENR, Department of Interior and Local Government/Local Government of Malay, and the DOT, to receive application forms.