Siquijor government to collect 'tourism ecological fee' from visitors starting Feb. 1
The government of Siquijor announced that they will now be collecting a "tourism ecological fee" from visitors leaving the island starting on Feb. 1.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Siquijor Tourism explained that the fee is part of an initiative to "support environmental protection, sustainable tourism development, and the preservation of Siquijor’s natural and cultural heritage."
"The collected fees will be used for environmental conservation programs, tourism infrastructure improvement, and ecological sustainability projects across the province," it said.
"We encourage all visitors and stakeholders to cooperate in this effort to help maintain Siquijor as a clean, safe, and sustainable destination."
Domestic and foreign tourists will be charged P50 individually, while senior citizens and students have a lesser fee of P40 per person.
Children aged six years old and below, as well as Siquijor residents, are exempted from the fee as long as they have an ID or barangay certificate with them.
However, many social media users raised questions and concerns about the implementation of the new fee.
"Sana maayos 'yung mga tourist spots, imagine paying environmental fee at mga entrance fee tapos wala man lang changing area or CR, so saan napupunta 'yung mga collected fees if walang progress na nakikita?" one user commented.
Another remarked, "Understandable naman ang point ng implementation nito. It’s just that ang daming parang loophole. What if business trip ang purpose of travel? What if ang nakalagay sa mga IDs ng mga naturally-born sa Siquijor is nasa ibang place na kasi doon na nagtatrabaho? Para bang it’s an impending logistical nightmare. Pero I hope ma-so-sort out 'yan."
Others expressed concern over the transparency of the initiative, hoping that the collected funds would be visibly reflected in improved facilities and services across the island.
Addressing these issues in the comments section, Siquijor Tourism clarified that the environmental fee being collected is "very minimal compared to other island destinations."
It also maintained that it is "intended solely for the protection and preservation of Siquijor’s culture and natural environment."
"As we all know, Siquijor is a small island with fragile ecosystems and culture. Without adequate funds to safeguard our natural resources, the island could face serious environmental risks in the future," they reasoned.
"This initiative is a proactive step to ensure that Siquijor remains beautiful, sustainable, and livable for both present and future generations," they added.
Payment for the tourism ecological fee is currently collected at the Siquijor Ticketing Office at the Siquijor Port.
Located within the Negros Island Region, Siquijor is best known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waterfalls, centuries-old churches, making it a sought-after destination for both local and foreign tourists.