Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is hoping the temporary closure of Boracay will not affect the 7.4 million foreign arrivals target as the Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to review the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). When asked if there is a possibility of adjusting the 7.4 million arrivals target set by the NTDP for this year, Puyat said, “We will be discussing it.” “Nobody expected it (Boracay) to be closed. That (target) was based on when Boracay was open. We are hoping that it won’t affect it,” she added.

Talavera, C., & Ronda, R. A. (2018, June 23). DOT hopes Boracay shutdown won’t affect tourist arrivals. The Philippine Star, p. 7.