Boracay has been hailed numerous times as one of the best beaches in the entire world. Unfortunately, the tourist destination is facing grim environmental problems as of late. On February 10, the incumbent president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to clean up Boracay in six months. The pressing problem identified was the pollution caused by the island businesses whose sewer systems were not connected to Boracay?s sewer system. Additionally, there are reports that some establishments throw their waste into the sea. The President threatened to close the island if the problem is not resolved.

Almost 2 million tourists visit per year, with each person generating at least 2.5 kilograms of garbage per day plus the lack of regulation when it comes to environmental protection only worsens the problem in Boracay. It is estimated that only 50-60% of the local businesses comply with the Clean Water Act of 2004, the law that applies to water quality management in all water bodies. The republic act mandates that all septic waste from houses or establishments must be disposed to a water treatment facility. The President accused the island of being a sewer pool and said that there will come a time that tourists will no longer visit because of the environmental damage done.

The most recent news reports that 81 businesses are not compliant with the Clean Water Act of 2004. These establishments are given two months to connect to the Boracay sewer system. Apart from that, there are also efforts from the DENR, the Department of Tourism and the local government to forestland illegal occupants and dismantle structures that are within the 30 meter limit from the shoreline of the beaches.

Due to the fact that it generates huge income for the country, Boracay should be protected by the businesspeople running it. The crackdown initiated by the administration of the current president is effective in curing the environmental problems they have in the island. However, such measures will be more sustainable if there is initially a stricter reinforcement of the Clean Water Act, not just for tourist destinations but also even in residential areas.

Resources:

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/10/duterte-DENR-clean-up-boracay-6-months.html

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/22/denr-violation-boracay.html

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/13/DENR-erring-Boracay-establishments-have-2-months-to-shape-up.html

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/20/Boracay-environment-mission-team.html

http://ap.fftc.agnet.org/ap_db.php?id=281