DOT sets media guidelines for Boracay coverage

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has laid out the rules for the media coverage of Boracay, with the looming shutdown of the island.

The DOT released the guidelines to the media Saturday.

According to the DOT, they would accredit a maximum of 12 people per TV network, and maximum of five for print, news wire, and online platforms.

The accreditation procedure will be as follows:

Applicants should fill out the form and include company identification, a letter of request signed by the editor/department head, and a 1x1 photo. Foreign journalists must submit proof of their International Press Center accreditation;

An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to an applicant's registered email. The vetting and processing of requests will take up to three to five working days;

Upon approval, applicants will receive an email confirmation on how they can claim their media pass;

The DOT will provide security officers a list of DOT-accredited media;

The media ID should be presented upon entry to the island and must be worn at all times.

It added, the application period will start on Monday, April 16.

On April 4, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Boracay closed for six months starting April 26.

This decision came almost two months after he first floated the idea of a shutdown and called the island a "cesspool."

Guidelines were likewise imposed on Boracay residents.

Interior Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing has said only residents, workers, and resort workers will be allowed on the island.

To enter, they must present identifications cards with a specific address in any of the three barangays in Boracay.

The other guidelines are as follows:

Identified tourists will not be allowed into the island and will be stopped at the Jetty Port;

Generally, swimming shall not be allowed. However, residents may be allowed to swim only on Angol Beach in Station 3 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

No visitors of Boracay residents shall be allowed entry, except under emergency situations with the clearance of the security committee composed of representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and local government;

Media will be allowed entry subject to prior approval from the DOT with a definite duration and limited movement;

No floating structures shall be allowed up to 15 kilometers from the shoreline;

Foreign residents will have to be revalidated courtesy of the Bureau of Immigration;

There shall only be one entry and one exit point.

READ: Boracay Timeline

CNN Philippines' Makoi Popioco contributed to this report.