New policy implemented in Hundred Islands

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan: Starting Maundy Thursday, March 28, until Easter Sunday, March 31, a “drop off and pick up” policy will be implemented here for those visiting the Hundred Islands National Park.

In a social media post, the city government said that tourists will only be allowed to visit three islands of their choice.

The city tourism and cultural affairs office said the scheme is pursuant to a 2023 city ordinance that aims to prevent congestion in the islands during the Holy Week.

Around 10,000 tourists per day are expected to visit the islands from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, almost 10 times more than its average daily visitors of 1,200 on ordinary days.

Under the ordinance, a boatman shall maintain a three-island tour, stopping in each of the three islands chosen by the guests for not more than 30 minutes — enough time to have picture-taking and other short recreational activities.

Before dropping off the guests to the island where they intend to stay longer, the pick-up time shall be properly agreed upon.

Boatmen violating the agreement will be penalized.

Because of the scheme, rental fees of the boats had been reduced.

Rental for small boats will be P1,400, down from the P1,600 during regular days; P1,800 for medium boats, from P2,000; and P2,000 for large boats from the usual P2,400.

On ordinary days, tourists can hop to all the islands where the boats could dock.

Of the 123 small islands inside the 1,676-hectare park, only 16 have beaches. The rest have coralline shores not fit for swimming.

This Holy Week, the Pilgrimage Island, which features Stations of the Cross and a 17-meter tall statue of Christ the Savior, is expected to be swarmed by Catholic faithfuls and pilgrims.

The Governor, Quezon and Children’s Islands, being regular tourist haunts, are also expected to be full of people.

More activities had been introduced in the islands. Tourists can see the sites on a zipline or enjoy wall climbing and rappelling.

There are also venues for helmet diving, banana boat rides, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Another latest attraction is the bonsai display at Ramos Island just beside the Pilgrimage Island.