The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) reminded air carriers operating flights in the airports of Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, and Iloilo to review their schedules and comply with government requirements that aim to sustain gains after the island of Boracay was rehabilitated last year.
CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla, in an advisory to all concerned stakeholders dated April 17, reminded air carriers to maintain a system for monitoring, across all booking processes and facilities, the bookings of passengers in order to identify those whose final destination is Boracay Island.
CAB noted that the requirements apply to all carriers operating international, domestic, scheduled, and/or non-scheduled flights to Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, and Iloilo airports, as well as to other areas that may be considered jump-off points going to Boracay Island.
Arcilla emphasized that only tourists with confirmed bookings with accredited hotels and other establishments will be allowed to cross to the island, and that there is still a 6,405 daily entry limit to the island.
“If the final destination is Boracay Island, the booking facility must very clearly prompt the person attempting to book a flight regarding the current policy of government and in clear and easily understandable language warn that non-compliant tourists (those without prior bookings at accredited hotels), or those who intend to enter for the sole purpose of engaging in gambling activities, may not be allowed entry to the island,” Arcilla pointed out.
The advisory was issued in time for the summer season when many tourists flock to the famous tourist destination, which was closed for six months last year to make way for the government’s rehabilitation program after President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the island had become a “cesspool.”
