DOT defers to experts on increase of Boracay’s carrying capacity

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said it will defer to experts regarding proposals to increase Boracay’s carrying capacity, which the tourist destination exceeded during the Holy Week.

Based on a study conducted by the University of the Philippines  (UP) commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the island’s carrying capacity is at 19,215 tourists at a given time.

Data show the island recorded 21,252 tourists on April 14 (Maundy Thursday) and 22,519 tourists on April 15 (Good Friday), surpassing the recommended daily threshold.

Local officials have reportedly appealed for the island's carrying capacity to be increased, but the DOT said it has to consult the experts first.

“It’s not about lobbying, it’s about studies. If indeed it can be increased, we will, but I believe even pre-pandemic we never breached the 19,000,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a press conference.

“Again, we will listen to the third-party experts and if they tell that it can be increased, then it can be,” she added.

The DOT already earlier called on local authorities to address the breach, and take appropriate measures to ensure that the incident from occurring again.

“It’s a matter of really working, the national government working with the local government, and also with the different government agencies and of course, the travelers,” the secretary said.

“We all have to work together to maintain our alert level system, the lowest alert level system, and to make sure the cases continue to go down,” she elaborated.

Puyat also said the mayor of the island will be issued a warning over the Holy Week incident, given the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.—AOL, GMA News