During a recent press conference, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said tourist reactions to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to clean up resort destination Boracay or face a shutdown if the ongoing pollution situation is not resolved within six months has been minimal.

“It’s limited,” she said.

It was reported, there have been eight guest cancellations and 22 room cancellations since the announcement, which Tulfo-Teo attributed to Duterte.

“Hindi ganun talaga ang effect (There wasn’t much of an effect),” she explained.

Last week, the DOT endorsed the president’s plans, with the secretary releasing a statement, saying, “The massive clean-up of Boracay is a bitter pill that we have to swallow if we were to collectively save and sustain Boracay.”

Despite the cabinet secretary’s comments, in an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod over the weekend, Sipalay City Tourism Officer Riha Cabajosa said they are expecting an upsurge in tourists, claiming visitors will swap Boracay for their city.

She noted, the city is expanding, with 25 establishments offering accommodations.

Cabajosa added, a majority of tourists have been from Europe, calling them “big spenders.”

The tourism officer noted, Sipalay City will not experience what Boracay is going through, pointing out the local City Health Office routinely conducts inspections of septic tanks./PLL, DGB, WDJ