TOURISTS visiting Boracay Island are still urged to use the Aklan QR Code despite the availability of another system known as the S-Pass.

The S-Pass is a travel management system that was recently approved for use by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Aklan Governor Miraflores said many tourists are already aware of the QR code use, making it more convenient for the province to maintain the local management system.

The S-Pass was developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the use of locally stranded individuals and travelers. It will be used as a contact tracing system amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Right now, we already had perfected the Aklan QR Code and our validating team is now quick in their response time for tourists wanting to go to Boracay,” Miraflores said.

A tourist coming to Boracay must register for a QR code via www.aklan.gov.ph. He or she should file a registration form, submit it to the province and wait for validation.

Upon validation, the tourist must present the copy, along with a negative swab test and hotel bookings, at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Engr. Rowen Gelonga, regional director of the DOST in Western Visayas, said they have already started introducing the S-Pass system to several local government units (LGUs) in the region, including the province of Aklan.

"Each local government will be given an account of the S-Pass. Their personnel will be trained on how to use this. This way, the LGUs could be able to maximize the use of the S-Pass," said Gelonga. (SunStar Philippines)