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| photo by D. Tapayan |
From the very beginning of the island’s six-month closure, we have repeatedly called upon the concerned agencies to set up an efficient communication process, ideally with regular weekly or bi monthly updates on targets to be achieved and objectives to be met for the ongoing rehabilitation. These updates are on their accomplishments and challenges are important to set expectations and for us to relay information to returning guests, partners, and employees who are awaiting the status of their jobs.
With the island’s closure nearly coming to an end, We are dismayed and disappointed at the continued apparent apathetic treatment of stakeholders
Instead of consulting those who have local knowledge and experience- the residents and local business who are most affected- The agencies in charge have been issuing statements across several media outlets, without releasing official communication to island stakeholders. It is as if our opinion does not matter.
Take the guidelines on "no partying and drinking on the beach" for example, or even the recent "no walk in guests" , both of which have appeared in mainstream media and yet stakeholders await with bated breath as no clear information related to these have been cascaded.
On the PCO Seminar
Many establishments still wanted to participate in the PCO Seminar, but with very limited slots available for each of the sessions, it served to become a source of stress to those establishments who are struggling to comply at the soonest possible time. With only one session per month and at a prohibitive price- almost 50% more than usual- we feel that there should be more sessions in various venues from various providers to accommodate more participants. We know for a fact that some hotels have offered the use of their facilities for free for this endeavor. Venue restrictions, the alleged reason mentioned by PCO seminar organizers for limiting participant slots, could be very easily solved by this simple solution. Bigger venues and more schedules will lead to decreased price and more participants thus more compliance make it a win win situation all around.
On the One Stop Shop (OSS) at CityMall Boracay
Hoards of people are scrambling to submit their requirements, what with With less than two weeks left before the One Stop Shop end operations in CityMall, Failing to submit all their requirements by the last day on September 15, they will be forced to process their requirements all the way in Iloilo, at least 7 hours away by land from Boracay, which poses not only a time inconvenience but a financial burden as well given that they would also have to spend on accommodation and fare. This is additional burden is too much for an already beleaguered community.
The desire to comply with the government agencies’ requirements is indisputable. But when the agencies in charge make it extremely difficult for establishments to comply – with the varying and never ending pronouncements on requirements- then it begs the question why? Isn’t it the role of the government to make its services closer to the people?
Initial List of “Compliant” Establishments
52 days before the island is re-opened to the world, "compliance" has become the new buzz word around the island. But what does it actually mean in the light of the InterAgancy Task Force for Rehabilitation? The Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) in behalf of its members would like to clarify the very complicated processes a business would have to go through before it is deemed "compliant".
An initial list of establishments allowed to operate upon the islands reopening was released last week. And while we congratulate them of course, we cannot help but ask "what really is the basis to be deemed compliant?" See, some of those on the list, by their own admission, still have no completed Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), while some are merely connected to the sewer lines even if they have more than fifty rooms.
As the island’s leading business organization, we pray and hope that clarity be upon us very soon. Six months of sacrifices – loss of income, loss of livelihood, displaced families, broken careers, and properties surrendered will all be put to waste if no efficient system, processes, and comprehensive well-thought of guidelines for re-opening will be set up.##
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