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FILE: This photo taken on June 17, 2020 shows a general shot of the famous white beach on the island of Boracay in the central Philippines. (Photo by Ernesto CRUZ / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines – Only 35 tourists made it to the world-famous island of Boracay after it reopened to tourists from all regions on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Friday.
Boracay began accepting tourists from Western Visayas last June.
“There were actually 35 tourists who came to Boracay yesterday by air, land and sea,” Puyat said in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart.”
“Of course there were people from Aklan, also some from Iloilo,” he added. “Yung mga tiga-Manila would only be seven years old (only seven came from Metro Manila).
The Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF), however, imposed a requirement that incoming tourists must have a negative RT-PCR test result no earlier than 48 hours before traveling. However, this rule exempts Aklan residents.
An RT-PCR test would cost P3,000 to P4,500 in Iloilo, while P4,000 to P12,000 in Metro Manila.
Puyat, meanwhile, said that originally, tourism officials decided the “cheapest” antigen test would be required for tourists visiting the island.
“But then [the World Health Organization] He came out again and said we have to be careful with the antigen. So again it was switched to RT-PCR. [test],” she said.
The antigen test is said to detect coronavirus molecules that trigger immune responses within 15 minutes. However, the WHO advised against the use of antigen tests for the detection of travelers.
Currently, a pilot study is underway in the city of Baguio, where travelers undergo RT-PCR tests and antigen tests to determine if the laboratory results match.
Puyat said that in addition to the RT-PCR test, Boracay-bound tourists must also have a confirmed reservation with a DOT-accredited establishment.
They must complete a health statement from the official Aklan local government website to receive a quick response (QR) code.
“So that QR code, once you get to the island, will be your QR code at all times, which will be used for contact tracing,” explained Puyat.
And should children under one year of age also have RT-PCR?
“When applicable. I know a year or less, Hindi naman kailangan ng (not necessary) RT-PCR, so when applicable, ”said Puyat.
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