By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

The Boracay MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences/conventions, exhibitions/events) Alliance, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas (DOT-6) and the Aklan’s Malay government unit, launched the High 5 Boracay Clean-up Drive on Friday, November 11, which aims to keep the island’s beaches clean. 

The initiative aims to reinforce the bayanihan spirit amongst its locals, workers and guests alike, to make sure that everyone will actively maintain the cleanliness on the island.

DOT-6 director Cristine Mansinares said the regional office is grateful to partner with the Boracay MICE Alliance and the local government of Malay in pushing for sustainability and inclusive tourism in Boracay.

Through the High 5 Boracay program, Mansinares said they are hoping that they can gain more support for their initiative from their private sector partners, and from tourists visiting the island to be part of their goal in making Boracay better than ever.

“Considering that Boracay Island is fragile and that we are enjoying this ‘gem’ in the Philippines, it is a shared reminder for all of us to take care of its environment,” Mansinares said.

Meanwhile, Boracay MICE Alliance Chairwoman Cleofe Albiso said aside from the beach clean-up drive, last Friday’s event also presented the top 5 Finalists for the High 5 Boracay jingle-making contest.

The top 5 finalists are: “Boracay” by Rhode Ryan Velez, “High 5 Boracay” by Jamie Roy, “Isla Boracay” by Daenniel Fernandez, “Boracay Boracay Boracay” by Archie Dairocas, and “Clean Haven” by Simon Moses Almira.

Albiso said the winner song would be used as the official jingle in the clean-up drive at 5:00 p.m. every day.

During the clean-up drive, a total of 245 individuals, consisting of employees from various hotels and restaurant chains located on the island’s Station 1, and even tourists, volunteered to pick up trash found along the beachfront./DGB, WDJ