ILOILO CITY companies in Boracay are worried about the small number of companies in operation when the island again receives tourists from 26 October.
"What happens when tourists arrive and only a few hotels, resorts and restaurants are open?", A business operator told the interrogator on condition of anonymity.
"Where will they stay? Will they be sent back?"
Cebu Pacific will resume flights to Caticlan airport in Malaysia on 26 October and Philippine Airlines on 27 October.
Last year, an average of 166,000 tourists visited the resort island on a monthly basis.
President Duterte ordered the closure of the island for tourists from April 26 for a six months rehabilitation after he lands the main tourist destination of the country's cesspit & # 39; called.
& # 39; Unreasonable & # 39; requirements
Another company operator said that the failure of many companies to comply with "unreasonable" requirements and deadlines before they could operate would be an excuse for delaying the reopening of the island.
"It would then ensure that the reopening was postponed because companies did not want to meet the requirements if it is the truth, the government makes unreasonable demands on us," said the source.
During a hearing with the Senate Environment Committee on Monday, Minister of the Interior Epimaco Densing III said that 30 to 50 percent of companies could meet the requirements of the Task Force of Boracay Intercorps and be allowed to operate.
Many business operators still process their applications for permits and other requirements, notably the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
All ECCs are suspended
Environmental Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the suspension of all ECCs on the island to "thoroughly" re-evaluate whether companies comply with national and local environmental laws and regulations.
An ECC declares that a project or activity does not cause risks to the environment or damage and that its proponents are able to implement environmental protection measures. It is issued before a project or activity is carried out.
Many business operators have previously complained about the "arbitrary" suspension of ECCs, citing the "tedious and costly" process in securing the license.
They argued that only the ECCs of those with environmental and other violations should have been suspended.
The government's one-stop shop for receiving applications for an ECC and other permits set up in Boracay will be closed on 25 August.
Business groups are looking for an extension so that business operators can secure the permits in time for the reopening of the island.
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