BUSINESSES and workers in Boracay fear that the famed tourist spot will again be closed to visitors because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) scare and its devastating effect on the resort island’s business.

Over the weekend, when the normally busy island would be packed with peak-season visitors, many establishments were empty or were closed entirely. Tour and transport operators struggled to attract customers from the relatively thin crowd.





“Walang Koryano, walang Chinese (No Koreans, no Chinese).” Electric tricycle operator Noli Solidum lamented, pointing out closed restaurants, tour operators and other businesses along Boracay’s main road. “Normally, we (Solidum’s transport cooperative) have about 4,000 passengers per day,” during this time of year, he explained. “Now, maybe 2,000. So, kalahati lang (only half).”

Travel restrictions imposed by the Philippines to and from China and South Korea, as well as those countries’ own restrictions on travel due to the Covid-19 epidemic, have prevented virtually all Korean and Chinese tourists from visiting Boracay. Solidum estimated that Korean and Chinese visitors ordinarily account for more than half of Boracay’s tourism business.

Solidum’s estimate was the most optimistic of any of the several local business people The Manila Times spoke to; the consensus was that business on Boracay is down about 80 percent since the beginning of February for lack of visitors.

“We just got over Typhoon “Ursula” (international name: “Phanfone”) [in December], and now this,” one of Solidum’s colleagues chimed in. “A lot of people are worried they will close Boracay again.”

In April 2018, Boracay was ordered closed for six months by the government in order to carry out a large-scale rehabilitation of the popular tourist destination.

A number of other vendors and local workers also confirmed that “people are talking about the island closing again.”

Safe to travel

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, however, said there were no plans to close Boracay because of the Covid-19 epidemic.

In a brief statement to The Manila Times, Puyat clarified, “No closure of Boracay.”

“Also, there is no local transmission [of Covid-19] in the country,” the Tourism chief added. “So, it’s safe [to travel] in the country.”

News reports over the weekend claimed that 11 South Korean visitors in Boracay from South Korea’s North Gyeongsang were suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.

They were allowed to depart on February 28 and 29 after they exhibited no symptoms of Covid-19.

The Philippines banned the entry of visitors from North Gyeongsang on February 26. The city of Daegu, where the largest number of Covid-19 cases in South Korea were recorded, is located in the province.

Small comfort

Puyat’s reassurance that Boracay will not be closed likely comes as small comfort for local businesses and entrepreneurs struggling to make ends meet in what should be their most profitable season.

“There is almost no business now,” tour coordinator Jerrick Arellano said. “A lot of places have just closed and a lot of people have lost their jobs,” most of them seasonal or contractual workers.

Several vendors said 700 to 800 people had been put out of work by the downturn in visitors, but The Manila Times was unable to independently confirm those figures with local government officials or the Department of Labor and Employment.

Arellano did confirm, however, that he and the several other employees of the tour company he works for had been informed that they would be reduced to half-salary as of March 1 “indefinitely.”

“Before, P20,000 [per month] — now P10,000,” he said. “They said until further notice. We don’t know when it will get better. And almost everybody has the same problem.”

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he added, visibly worried at the thought.

Silver lining

Not everyone is unhappy with the virtual collapse of business on the island, however.

“It’s okay for us,” a group of police officers casually observing the passers-by told The Manila Times. “Not too many people, not much trouble.”

The visitors who did make it to Boracay were apparently enjoying the quieter surroundings.

“It’s fantastic, isn’t it?” Mark Wells, an Australian visiting Boracay with his wife Terri said as he waited in line for coffee on Sunday morning. “It’s beautiful weather, the beach isn’t crowded at all, you don’t have to wait to get a table for dinner. I know the people are having problems because there’s not as much business, but it’s been lovely for us. If you ask me, this is a great time to come here.”

WITH REPORT FROM FAYE ALMAZAN