6-month REHABILITATION OF BORACAY

Nowadays, many people are suffering to sicknesses because of pollution. We see trashes
scattered all around us that can be a threat to one’s life. The problem of environmental protection is
one of the major global problems that threaten to the survival of the humankind and numerous
species inhabiting the earth. In such a situation, the use of fossil fuels is the major cause of the
environmental pollution. Therefore, the introduction of alternative fuels can reduce consistently the
pollution and, thus, improve the environmental situation worldwide.
Boracay Island is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. White, powdery sand,
turquoise water, and stunning sunset – these are some adjectives to describe the island resort. This
is also called the “Island Paradise”. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case anymore these days. The white
and powdery sand still there. And the stunning sunset can still behold. But the turquoise water is no
longer clean and safe for swimming and other water activities. Marine life is also at risk. Recent
inspections reveal that seawater surrounding the island is contaminated with coliform bacteria.
Human waste and kitchen runoffs go directly to the sea unfiltered. It was found that many of the
business establishments and tourist facilities didn’t install a proper sewage system. Likewise, the
natural surroundings on the island are indiscriminately altered. Rock formations are cut to give way
to tourist facilities. Encroachment into forested areas and setting up of concrete structures in areas
where they should not be are rampant. The main beach road has also become crowded with
tricycles, shuttle services or resorts and private vehicles. Flooding also keeps recurring on the island,
even with the usual rainy weather. Garbage has also been improperly disposed on the island. With
this sudden environmental problem of the island, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the closure of
Boracay for up to six months to allow the rehabilitation of the island to take place. Even if the
closure has already past, further rehabilitation is still on going.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) consolidated the list of
business establishments operating on Boracay Island that face severe penalties and fines for
violation of various environmental laws. A total of 254 of 468 violators were found to have no or
expired Discharge Permit for water pollutants, under Section 27 (c) of Republic Act 9275 or the Clean
Water Act. A total of 190 were issued a notice of violation for operating generator sets without or
having expired permits from DENR, which is considered violating certain provisions of the RA 8749 of
the Clean Air Act. Meanwhile, 20 companies have been found to be operating without an
environmental compliance certificate (ECC), a violation of the Philippine Environmental Impact
Statement System or the Presidential Decree 1586.
Boracay is administered by Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and
the provincial government of Aklan. Day-to-day management is overseen by the officials of Baragays
Manoc-Manoc, Balaga and Yapak. Unfortunately, the enforcement of environmental statues have
allegedly been selective, depending on the political weight and persuasiveness of those applying for
environmental clearances. The establishments who violated the sewer and solid waste laws are
testaments of how corruption has superseded the law. The past administrations turned a blind eye
on Boracay’s environmental deterioration given its importance to the national economy. President
Rodrigo Duterte is the lone chief executive who called Boracay, a cesspool that needs to be closed
for rehabilitation. Since then, Malacañang has formed an interagency task force consisting of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and
the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) to solve the problem in most expeditious
way with the least amount of displacement and to oversee the full rehabilitation of the island. The
DENR proposes to address drainage and sewerage through: opening and unclogging of drainage;
siphoning, desilting, and water treatment; cutting illegal lines; treatment and disposal of stale water
in holding tank; building of temporary interceptor in drainage outfall; rehabilitation of Balbag
Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), among others. It is also strictly implemented the Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act, which promotes a clean and healthy environment through a system of
solid waste management that includes segregation of garbage at its source, segregated
transportation, processing, treatment and proper disposal of solid waste. It emphasizes on recycling
so that less garbage is actually brought to the sanitary landfills and those brought to the final
 6-month REHABILITATION OF BORACAY

disposal site are effectively maintained. It bans open dumpsites the use of incinerators and burning
of waste. It promotes the use of environment-friendly disposal of solid waste. Meanwhile, for
forestlands and easement recovery and alienable and disposable lands management, the DENR
prepare a spatial data on Boracay and management of public lands, which include: sending of show-
cause order and evaluation of answers; sending of notice to vacate (NTV) in forestlands; filling of
cases in court against those in violatation of the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines and
Presidential Proclamation No. 1064; sending notices to demolish; and identification of resettlement
aeas. Illegal structures, pilled debris, sediments, and invasive alien spaces will be removed to protect
wetlands. For geohazard management, the DENR will update the Sinkhole and Cave Inventory
Geotechnical Studies and monitor for sign of karst subsidence. A Biological Island Critical Habitats
(BICH) was established and Wildlife Enforcement Officers was also be deputized to protect
biodiversity. With the help of DOT, tourists arrivals on the island became limited to reduced the
pollution brought by the vehicles and also the visitor. DILG ensured that Local government Officials
are well versed in implementing early warning systems and in developing local disaster preparedness
plans in Boracay.
In my own words, the programs of the government are effective to alleviate the condition of
the 6-month rehabilitation of Boracay because it is well plan and definitely changed into a better
paradise. As we know, Boracay is one of the most favorite travel destinations of tourist in the
Philippines, yet, it was closed for 6-months last April 2018 for the rehabilitation of the Island. But 1
year after Boracay has re-opened, I wondered how can be this Island became more beautiful than
before. Actually, I haven’t been to Boracay yet, but I can figure out the image itself by having a
research. Hence, I would like to know what is happening to that famous “Island Paradise”. Boracay
has a lot of water activities that people find and love it but having fun sometimes is quite dangerous.
Because Boracay has become very commercialized and overcrowded, and also because of the lack of
discipline and concern of tourists, it was obvious that Boracay was not well-maintained, as a result,
there were lots of trash in the beach and lost its natural beauty. Though there are locals who clean
up, there are still lots of trash left by the tourists. The government’s resolution for this problem is by
shutting down Boracay for 6-months to maintain and rehabilitate Boracay. Despite the loss of
tourism revenue as well as the loss of thousand of jobs over the last six months, protecting Boracay
has been given more attention so that it will not permanently damaged. The closure of Boracay has
not been easy for many people. However, the beauty and cleanliness of Boracay has been restored,
as a result, there were many major changes: firstly, the coliform level has dropped, it has also
become cleaner since tourist are now prohibited from bringing any food near the sea to avoid waste,
and last but not the least, buildings and structures less than 30 meters away from the shore were
also requested to self demolish to make more space for the white sand as well as fixing the roads to
reduce traffic. I therefore conclude that these some changes in Boracay can make me say that the
rehabilitation of this beach is successful.
If we will continuously work together to protect it, we will be able to bring Boracay back to
its former beauty. Let us always remember to be a good example to help protect our environment.
Let’s not let another tourist destination be closed before we learn because if we will become
responsible travelers, we will able to protect and maintain its natural beauty that we can pass on to
future generations.
References:
https://wsimag.com/travel/37526-boracay-island-to-undergo-rehabilitation
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/10/30/Boracay-establishements-violation-environment.html
https://businessmirror,com.ph/2018/05/02/new-denr-list-reveals-more-boracay-businesses-
violated-environment-laws/
https://www.bworldonline.com/fixing-boracay/
 6-month REHABILITATION OF BORACAY

https://news.abs-cbn.com/amp/news/07/02/19/duterte-approved-boracay-action-plan
BEFORE REHABILITATION

Boracay has became very commercialized A sewer pipe crossing the Beach towards
and overcrowded island. Nearly 2 million the sea on Boracay Island.
tourists visit Boracay Island a year.

A seashore covered with green algae that Many trashes were dumped and
recurs annually in Boracay. scattered in the beach

AFTER REHABILITATION

Boracay Island in Aklan is back to its pristine state after its shutdown for environmental
rehabilitation. the cleaner and more manageable Boracay.
6-month REHABILITATION OF BORACAY

Submitted By:
JESSA MAE T. AGUIMBAG