Boracay businesses open for Holy Week sans parties, loud music

Business establishments in Boracay will continue to operate during the Holy Week but  parties and loud music will be prohibited on Good Friday and Black Saturday.

According to GMA News' Jam Sisante-Cayco on her report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, the Malay municipal government will not allow parties and loud music to be played from Friday at 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday in solemn observance of Holy Week. 

"'Yung ino-offer natin especially by this Holy Week is 'yung more on meditation and it's more on family day talaga siya," said Felix Delos Santos Jr., Malay's Tourism Operation Center chief.

Despite environmental problems, more tourists are expected to flock to Boracay during the this week.

The Municipality of Malay projected up to 58,040 tourists will visit Borocay this week, which is a slightly bigger crowd than last year with the arrival of 54,887 tourists.

Four cruise ships arrived from China on Wednesday bringing almost 4,000 tourists.

"'Yung sa'tin parang suki na rin eh. It's all about the experience na gusto ng mga bisita natin," Delos Santos told GMA News.

However, with the pending closure of the island due to environmental issues there are around 30,000 workers who may lose their jobs.

Earlier, the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Tourism, and Interior and Local Government proposed that the popular tourist destination for six months starting April 26.

The move came after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to close the island to tourists after calling it a "cesspool" due to issues on waste management.

Meanwhile, some tour guides are preparing for expected losses as early as Wednesday.

"Agresibo po kami ngayon para maka-ipon po ng pera kahit paano siguro pang-invest din naman," Bonnie Tapiru said in an interview.

The Malay municipal government had also announced that it will not permit large parties during the LaBoracay, an annual event in May which has attracted up to10,000 people to the island.

Amid the uncertainty on the event, tourists who made early bookings have reportedly been checking in with hotels and establishments.

"May mga cancellation, may mga nagbu-book atsaka nagtatanong ano'ng status. Hindi namin alam. Although kung nagca-cancel sila, eh di papa-cancel namin ng walang charges," said Nennette Graf, who heads an association of Boracay's hotels and establishments called Boracay Foundation, Inc. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News