By the Philippine News Agency
BORACAY — One of the world’s leading tourist destinations, Boracay island, reopened its doors to holidaymakers on Friday, following six months of intensive rehabilitation.
This general shot shows a beach on Boracay island on October 25, 2018.
(NOEL CELIS / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Tourism said as of Thursday (Oct. 25), a total of 157 accommodation establishments were given the green light by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force to accept visitors.
The task force issued the list of government-accredited resorts and hotels on social media, which have 7,308 available rooms to welcome tourists in the world-renowned island.
Among the highlights of Boracay’s reopening include the unveiling of the “Boracay icon,” which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said will be a “prominent marker” in Cagban port.
Also expected to highlight the event is the inauguration of the rehabilitated main road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be led by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
DENR Undersecretary Sherwin Rigor, in a statement Thursday, said the reopening ceremony will take place at Cagban Jetty Port in barangay Manoc-manoc.
“Cagban jetty port is the main gateway to Boracay. It is only fitting that the ceremonies marking the reopening will take place here, as a symbol of the island welcoming visitors once again to enjoy its natural beauty,” he said.
Boracay was closed down in April to undergo rehabilitation and restoration for six months after President Rodrigo Duterte dubbed the island as a “cesspool.”