Malay, Aklan LGU on tourists’ accident insurance: “In case na may mangyari, at least meron silang protection”
TOURISTS — Tourists will have to secure accident insurance before entering the Boracay island, according to the local government unit of Malay town in Aklan province.
Malay, Aklan Mayor Floribar Bautista said that tourists without any insurance coverage will be required to pay PHP 100 at the jetty port before entering the island.
He also said that tourists with existing insurance don’t have to pay the accident insurance fee. However, he said that tourists with existing insurance coverage still have the option to do so for additional insurance coverage.
“Sa Boracay kasi, maraming activities—water activities, so at least meron silang, in case na may mangyari, at least meron silang protection,” he said in a report on 24 Oras Weekend. “Show mo lang na insured ka… As I said, duplication na nga ‘yun, so kung gusto mo rin, kumuha ka.”
The LGU also said that it tapped a private company with existing presence in Aklan in order to make it easier to process claims should there be any.
READ ALSO: Boracay LGU Speaks on P16-K Price Tag for Tourist’s Braids
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Boracay, however, said this should have been consulted with stakeholders considering that businesses are required by the tourism department to have a third-party liability insurance.
PCCI Boracay former president Elena Bugger said in a report on 24 Oras Weekend that insurance shouldn’t be mandated for tourists and should be optional moving forward. She also said that it’s the tourists’ human right if they’re going to be insured or not.
According to a report, Bautista admitted that the implementation of Malay Municipal Ordinance No. 2021-444 (the insurance system for “bodily injuries or death that may be sustained by tourists” while in Boracay island) is still not being fully implemented.
“We are still studying it. The implementation is gradual,” Bautista said.
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