The controversial “despedida party”, which was organized and attended by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-6) personnel, has affected the reopening of the world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
One of the personnel tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Nakakainis kasi excited na lahat ng taga-Boracay na magbubukas na sila for Western Visayas. Lahat nag-co-comply. Ingat na ingat sila sa protocols ‘tas mangyayari ito dahil sa kapabayaan dahil sa gusto lang nilang mag-party,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
The island reopened its doors on Tuesday, June 16, to Western Visayas tourists after almost three months of closure due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Puyat confirmed on Wednesday, June 17, the group of fire personnel held the party at a hotel in Boracay.
According the local government unit of Malay, the group arrived in Boracay on June 12 and left the island June 14.
“Ang nakakagalit ay alam naman nila na bawal at nagsabi pa na kasama daw namin eh umalis na kami noon. 24 silang pumunta. Bawal ‘yon,” Puyat said.
The DOT will revoke the hotel’s license to operate “because at the time, the hotel did not have permission to operate yet when they provided accommodation to the BFP personnel.”
“Walang certificate to operate noon at magbubukas pa lang ang Boracay on June 16 so bawal,” Puyat said.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sacked Fire Senior Supt. Roderick Aguto as the regional director of BFP in Western Visayas.
“Nadismaya ako. Unang-una, dapat nga ay tayo ang ehemplo ng pagpapatupad kahit na ano gawin mo, kahit personal, kahit na walang nakakakita ay susunod ka sa lahat ng health standards at protocols. They also put in danger ‘yong ibang personnel ng hotel,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
The infected female personnel of BFP-6 is identified by the Department of Health (DOH-6) as a locally stranded individual (LSI). She travelled to Cebu and went back to Iloilo on June 5.
The personnel underwent COVID-19 teasting on June 6 and was supposed to be under quarantine for 14 days.IMT
