Both local officials and stakeholders are appealing to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider closing off Boracay Island.

“We continue to make the appeal,” expressed Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores.

The governor flew to Manila and made rounds in both key government agencies and media outlets.

This follows the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommending a six-month shutdown of Boracay starting April 26.

While acknowledging it is still the decision of the Duterte administration, Miraflores vowed their own rehabilitation, initiated by various sectors, will continue.

“We already started it and we hope this can help the efforts of the national government,” Miraflores said.

However, the governor is asking the national government to provide more time before shutting down the popular resort island.

Miraflores expressed to DILG Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III that Boracay should be shut down during the rainy season instead of in the middle of the summer season.

“There are too many events lined up,” he said./WDJ