SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique -- Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, also the Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC 6) chairperson, has asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to give priority to other tourist sites in the region in its promotional campaign in view of the impending closure of Boracay.
The governor said the RDC 6 during its recent meeting in Iloilo City had to heed the recommendation of the interior, environment and tourism departments for a six-month total closure of Boracay Island, the premier tourist destination in Region 6, starting April 26 to give way to its rehabilitation.
“Since Boracay is in Western Visayas so I ask that DOT promotes it in lieu of other tourists destinations in the region,” Cadiao said in an interview on Monday.
She said the DOT by promoting other sites within Western Visayas could at least ensure that there would still be tourists to visit the region and provide income to the stakeholders.
The governor named the islands of Batbatan, Manining and Mararison, all in Culasi, Antique as some of the sights which could be heavily promoted.
She said that she feels sorry though for the thousands of direct workers in Boracay who would be displaced with the total closure.
“The rehabilitation work could not be done partially,” Cadiao said.
However, the DENR and the other agencies concerned assured that the island could be reopened to tourists even just after three months once the cleanup and rehabilitation is done, she said. (PNA)
