PHNO-HL: KALIBO JUNKS PROPOSED P30 ENVIRONMENTAL FEE FOR TOURISTS

KALIBO JUNKS PROPOSED P30 ENVIRONMENTAL FEE FOR
TOURISTS
MANILA, JUNE 26, 2012
(INQUIRER) By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas - Bowing to widespread opposition, the municipal council
of Kalibo in Aklan province has scrapped a proposed ordinance requiring guests
and tourists of the municipality to pay P30 in environmental fee.
Councilor Ariel Fernandez, author of the proposal, said he withdrew his
sponsorship of the measure titled "An Ordinance Fixing an Environmental
Admission Fee to all Tourists that Sojourn in the Municipality of Kalibo" due to
protests.
"I decided to withdraw it because of the many negative comments and
observations against it aired in radio stations and other venues," Fernandez
told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview.
He said most agencies represented during a June 20 public hearing opposed the
measure.
Fernandez and Councilor George Quimpo filed the proposal earlier this month
on the recommendation of the Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office.

Under the proposal, tourists, travelers and nonresidents of Aklan would be
charged P30 upon arrival at the town's entry points.
Children aged 12 years old and below, persons with disabilities, government
officials and dignitaries on official business would be exempted.
The measure was aimed at raising funds for the rehabilitation and improvement
of tourism facilities and projects and for waste management facilities and
programs, according to Fernandez.

[PHOTO- KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL]
The proposed fee is similar to the P75 environmental fee collected at the
Caticlan jetty port for all non-Aklan residents going to Boracay Island.
The fee in Caticlan is intended to fund environmental projects and facilities
as part of efforts to preserve Boracay's fragile ecosystem.
But many Aklan residents criticized the measure, saying it may turn off
tourists and guests of Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan.
Fernandez said various sectors had pointed out that while tourists stayed
days or weeks in Boracay, many of those arriving on regional and international
flights at Kalibo International Airport were on their way to Boracay.
"We might end up charging them twice in environmental fees if they are
proceeding to Boracay," he said.
Kalibo, a first-class municipality (annual income: over P50 million), is a
gateway to Boracay Island. It draws tens of thousands of tourists every year
during the Kalibo Ati-Atihan every January.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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rights reserved




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