Following a senate resolution introduced by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV calling for an assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation at shuttered resort island Boracay, Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, said their ongoing training programs have equipped the area with enough manpower for reopening.

“We are now conducting different kinds of trainings for Boracay front liners, stakeholders, and indigenous people to ensure they are ready for the reopening of Boracay on October 26,” she affirmed. “[DOT-6] will also provide adequate assistance, especially to the residents of the island.”

The department has conducted a variety of programs including tour guide training, foreign language training, various staff trainings, along with seminars on tourism awareness and tourism enterprise innovation, among others.

Earlier this month, during a meeting between DOT Undersecretary Arturo P. Boncato and the Boracay Stakeholders Core Group, the DOT official stressed the necessity for Boracay establishments to be compliant ahead of reopening.

The group affirmed “compliant” establishments refers to those in line with regulations set by the DOT, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Malay municipal government, which has jurisdiction over the closed resort island./WDJ