(Eagle News) — The tourism, environment and interior departments have decided to recommend a 6-month closure of Boracay starting April 26.
In a radio interview, Interior Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III said they would submit the recommendation—reached at after a meeting among the departments’ officials on Thursday night—to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Ang desisyon sa date, ang rekomendasyon kasi ang huling may ‘say’ ay si Presidente,” he said.
He said airlines and tour operators have promised to refund tickets to the island, based on Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo’s request.
He said the refund would entail no additional charges.
Duterte had earlier described the world-famous island as a “cesspool,” and threatened to shut it down if local officials did not clean it up.
