No figure yet on how many tourists will be allowed in Boracay: DENR official

September 1, 2018

The government has yet to announce how many tourists will be allowed into Boracay when it reopens on October 26, an official of the  Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said

DENR Undersecretary and deputy spokesman Benny Antiporda told a forum on Saturday " there are still other considerations based on the scientific study.”

He made the statement after a news report quoting Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Ano limiting  tourists at 19,000 based on Boracay's carrying capacity.

"Based on an initial report, it appears the carrying capacity of the island is 55,000 people including population, workers, and tourists. Overall, tourist maximum is 19,000," he told ABS-CBN on Friday.

Antiporda said the 19,000 figure is only for the beachfront and does not include swimming pools at the hotels in Boracay.  “The carrying capacity could still either up or down,” he said.

He said DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu is the one authorized to say how much is the carrying capacity.

Antiporda said only 71 of about 400 hotels and resorts in Boracay have complied with permits and licenses.

He said  establishments, including those without or not connected to a sewerage system will not be allowed to reopen . “The sewerage treatment plant is non-negotiable,” said Antiporda. DMS