Bye for now, Boracay
It's been three days since the island of Boracay has been temporarily shut down after the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte. All tourists are not allowed anymore on the island. Only workers and locals are allowed entry provided that they help in rehabilitating the island. It was an emotional goodbye, as some have shared in stories. Many sang and made last-day gigs as the island closed. It seemed like an exodus seeing a lot of people fleeing the island for a good place. They all knew in their hearts that they will see the island again.
It was really dirty. Photos showed a long stretch of green algae by the shoreline. I could only imagine how long it would take for the authorities and volunteers to clean it up. I have never been to Boracay and had hoped to visit, but photos tell us that it was really once a paradise that we should have taken care of. Well, I guess it's never too late. The six-month closure may be harsh but it will be for our own good.
What now for us in Central Visayas? First, there will be a surge of tourists. We have been warned and I hope we have prepared well. Our tourist sites will be next on the list. There will be big demands and a scamper for rooms to stay in. How sure are we that we can accommodate all visitors? Moderation is key. We should not give what we do not have. Profit should not be a priority in this time when we want to sell our places as destinations.
Second, security will be a top priority. With the coming elections and other events, it is expected that we should beef up security. Any lapse would be a shame not only to our own region but also the country. Again, there is a balance between making money and making sure visitors are secure as they enjoy the attractions.
Third, I guess we should all learn from Boracay. Like I used to say, there is a balance not only between security and money but also between taking care of the environment. We should not wait for own coastlines to get polluted. We should not wait for marine life, which we enjoy, to surface in our sight all dead. That would be a very tragic moment for us all. We can avoid this if we can do our part in making sure that our seas, coasts, and mountains are clean and free of trash. How difficult is it to follow simple rules in throwing garbage? Let us show them that we can take care of our own.
The closure is a painful lesson in itself and I hope this won't happen again. For now there will be a huge transition which we can choose to take part in. My parting words to this beautiful island: Rest well and see you soon. Hopefully it will be a better you this time.