By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Department of Tourism Western Visayas (DOT-6) is conducting a comprehensive review of all fees imposed on tourists visiting Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.
DOT-6 Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the review covers all tourism-related fees, including those collected by local government units (LGUs) and barangays, to determine which charges can be adjusted without significantly affecting local revenue.
Rodriguez clarified that the DOT has not stated that “excessive fees” are being imposed but acknowledged that stakeholders have raised concerns about various charges on the island.
“Let me just clarify that the DOT did not say there are excessive tourism-related fees being collected on the island. These concerns came from our stakeholders,” she said.
To address the issue, the DOT convened a meeting on February 17 with key stakeholders, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local officials, and private sector representatives.
The meeting was attended by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla and DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
Rodriguez said the review process is still in the negotiation stage, with stakeholders working to identify fees that can be adjusted.
“It was a very, very good discussion. We are still in the stage of negotiation,” she noted.
She added that other charges imposed in Boracay—such as fees collected by tourism establishments, which are often passed on to visitors—are also under review.
“We have a list of the fees being collected on the island. Our stakeholders are studying them to identify which ones will not have a significant impact on the LGU,” she said.
During the February meeting, the DILG suggested that the Bureau of Local Government Finance provide technical assistance to help the LGU review fees.
Current Tourism Fees in Boracay
Currently, tourists visiting Boracay pay an environmental fee of PHP150 for Filipinos and PHP300 for foreign visitors.
The terminal fee at Caticlan Jetty Port is PHP150 for all guests.
This means a local tourist pays PHP300, while a foreign tourist pays PHP450 per visit.
Additionally, the boat fare from Caticlan to Boracay costs PHP50 per person.
The PHP150 terminal fee is allocated to the Aklan provincial government, while the environmental fee is collected by the Malay municipal government.
