Flag carrier Philippine Airlines on Friday announced that it was preparing measures concerning its flight operations which will be affected once the government enforce a six-month closure of the famous Boracay island.
“In anticipation of any government decision to close or cut back tourism activities in Boracay Island for a temporary period, Philippine Airlines will be ready to make the appropriate adjustments to schedules of flights to and from Caticlan [Boracay] airport and Kalibo International Airport,” the airline management said in a statement.
The airline is also prepared to assist passengers in rebooking, refunding and rerouting their flights if the inter-agency task force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources imposed the closure beginning next month.
“Our adjustments will depend on the scope and duration of the Boracay closure, and we will also take into account the need to retain some flights to serve the residents and businesses in Kalibo and the rest of Aklan province,” PAL stated.
The PAL management said they also intend to help minimize any impact on tourism, air travelers and airline operations by redirecting flights to other routes “where we can continue to promote domestic and international tourist travel for the Philippines, during the temporary closure period.”
“PAL will make the necessary public advisories to inform and update the flying public, for our passengers and travel partners. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, pending any final government announcements, and coordinate with the Department of Tourism and the other concerned government agencies in support of the efforts to rehabilitate Boracay island.”
The government formed a task force to address the environmental problem besetting the world-famous island.
The task force, led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte a six-month closure.
The Department of Tourism reported that of the 150 Boracay business establishments recently inspected by the government, only 25 were connected to the sewage line and a number of establishments drain their sewage directly into the sea.
Cimatu had said that within the next six months, the DENR will lead the “transformation” of Boracay starting with the removal of illegal structures that largely contributed to environmental problems facing the island paradise.
But businessmen and other stakeholders appealed to the government to reconsider its decision.
They said that 36,000 people and their families will be affected by the total closure of businesses, including those employed at the hotels, resorts, restaurants, dive shops, souvenir shops, tour activity centers and transport providers while others works as masseurs, tattoo artists and vendors by the beach.
The stakeholders is seeking an audience with President Duterte to discuss and find a right solution to the problem.