Did you know it’s illegal to build sandcastles in Boracay without authorization?
Starting Jan. 6, local police in the popular beach destination started checking the island’s shoreline for illegal sandcastles.
The ordinance dates back to 2007.
The reason for the ordinance is that moving huge volumes of sand to make big “castles” for paid photography “tinkers with the natural terrain” of the beach.
The ordinance makes it illegal for anyone to make sandcastles for the purpose of charging tourists.
Anyone who wishes to make sandcastles has to obtain a permit from the mayor’s office.
According to the ordinance, the presence of sandcastles contribute to creating “irregular contours which affect the natural symmetry of the beach.”
Cebu newspaper The Freeman reported that Senior Inspector Jose Mark Anthony Gesulga, Boracay Tourist Assistance Center chief, told them on Wednesday that they have been going around Boracay island to check if sand art makers are authorized to practice their craft.
Check out this photo uploaded by Facebook user Benjie A Deguzman of police demolishing a sandcastle that does not have a permit.
Those caught violating the ordinance will be made to pay PHP2,500 (US$50) for the first offense.
Get caught violating for a second and third time and you could face up to 30 days in jail.
According to The Freeman, police said they have received complaints that some sandcastle makers have been charging tourists up to PHP50 (US$.99) for taking a photo with their sandcastles.
A more serious complaint received was that some tourists, who put down their things to take pictures with the sandcastles, find their belongings missing moments after taking the photo.
So if you find yourself in Boracay anytime soon, remember the sandcastles may not be as harmless as they look.
