Poll showing support for Boracay closure a ‘vindication’

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll showing a majority of Filipinos supportive of the government’s decision to close Boracay was a vindication for the Duterte administration, Malacañang said yesterday.

The nationwide poll, conducted from March 23 to 27, found 64 percent of Filipinos backing the temporary closure of the island to tourists. Only 20 percent of the 1,200 respondents disagreed with the government’s decision.

The Duterte administration welcomed the results of the survey, held a month before the island was closed to tourists.

“Palace (is) vindicated and welcomes the support of the people,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

Last April, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 475 placing Boracay under a state of calamity for six months to pave the way for rehabilitation.

The closure is expected to cost the economy some P1.9 billion and affect about 35,000 workers, according to officials.

Last month, President Duterte said he wanted Congress to determine how much of Boracay can be set aside for businesses. He also vowed to make Boracay a land reform area. –