The island of Boracay in the central Philippines is being readied for its reopening to tourists on Oct. 26. (Photo by Angie de Silva)
Filipinos are to hold a festival in honor of the Child Jesus to welcome the reopening of Boracay Island, one of the country's top tourist destinations, which was closed in April for rehabilitation.
An "Ati-Atihan," a celebration traditionally held every third Sunday of January, will be held in honor of the island's patron, the Santo Nino.
Albert Menez, chairman of the Kalibo Santo Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, said the October celebration would serve as the "opening salvo" of the January observation of the Feast of the Child Jesus.
Menez said the street dancing and merrymaking "are part of our thanksgiving to the Child Jesus for all the blessings bestowed upon us."
Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc of Kalibo said he appreciates the government's efforts to rehabilitate Boracay.
"Boracay is a gift and creation of God, therefore, the government is facilitating the rehabilitation of a natural gift of God," said the prelate.
The island, known for its turquoise waters and powdery white sand, is ranked as one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
Tourism and development, however, have taken its toll on the island's environment. President Rodrigo Duterte even compared the island to a "cesspool".
The government is set to reopen the island to tourists on Oct. 26, six months after Duterte ordered its closure in April to facilitate a clean up.
The six-month closure was aimed to fix the island's sewage system and roads and remove structures built in its forest and wetlands.
Authorities said tourists might be required to acquire tap cards or access bracelets as a security measure to regulate the number of visitors when the island reopens.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said initially the number of tourists allowed to stay on the island would be pegged at 6,405.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, meanwhile, said tribal people on the island affected by the rehabilitation would receive assistance to ensure compliance of environmental laws.
"We are now requiring every large establishment on Boracay to have their own [sewerage system] and the [tribal] community must also have their own," said Cimatu.
He said the government will also showcase to visitors the "customs and traditions" of the tribal people during the reopening.
Cimatu said the Ati tribe would serve as a "major stakeholder" of a park that the government will build where people can sell their products.
