"Boracay must remain a favored tourist destination because of its beauty and its vibrant local scene."
"Boracay must remain a favored tourist destination because of its beauty and its vibrant local scene."
In January 2016, CNN featured the results of a 5-year JICA study of Boracay’s marine and coastal ecosystems. The marine and ecosystems were found be “highly endangered.” Two years ago, I featured the JICA findings in my column, where I expressed deep concern that, if unmitigated, the island’s environment sustainability would be irreversibly compromised.
Early this year, Boracay was described as a “cesspool” due to sustained environmental damage from poor waste management. In April, the President ordered the closure of the Boracay shores to both tourists and locals in order to rehabilitate and restore the environment to its natural and pristine state. Local economic activities were paralyzed by the absence of tourists and closure of hotels and establishments which have been noncompliant to and committed violations of rules, regulations, and ordinances in the area.
After six months, Boracay reopened on Oct. 26, 2018. Boracay has transformed into a “new” spotless white beach. Allowing Boracay to “breathe” restored life in the island. With the reopening of the beachfront, the Department of Environment and National Resources is strictly implementing rules and regulations to preserve the cleanliness of the beach and the waters. A lot of activities such as beach parties, smoking, drinking of alcoholic drinks and dining by the beach, are banned. Sand castle-making and fireworks displays will be regulated. Water sports and diving activities are temporarily prohibited. The 30-meter no-build zone is also strictly observed. Some of the businesses have not been allowed to operate until their sewerage system are compliant with DENR regulations. The number of tourists are limited and entry to the island is restricted by certain requirements imposed on tourists. Tourists are also required to take the “Oath for a Better Boracay” which binds them to the strict observance of rules and regulations of the island. The President declared that casinos will not be allowed to operate in the island.
While the rules are put in place to provide a sustainable ecosystem and tourism in Boracay, it is equally important to regard the welfare of the visitors, local businesses and residents of the island who rely on tourism for their livelihood. After the long hiatus, businesses are struggling to get back especially when a lot of activities are still banned. Perhaps, it is possible and fair for the government to revisit the prohibitions and determine which are feasible to the island’s survival over-all. In the long term, the challenge is to maintain sustainability across the board. Boracay must remain a favored tourist destination because of its beauty and its vibrant local scene.
This move of the President to rehabilitate Boracay has been lauded by many environmentalists and tourists, even by foreign media. Thailand has followed suit with the closure of its Maya Bay to revive the destroyed corals due to pollution caused by beach and aquatic activities. Indonesia has also declared a garbage emergency in late 2017 due to the volume of garbage, particularly plastics, washed ashore.
It is time to assess the state of our top tourist destinations and evaluate the implementation of environmental laws and regulations in these areas. Perhaps, it is also time to revisit these laws to adapt to the changing social practices and trends, and impose sustainable measures to preserve the beauty of our tourist destinations, most especially the beaches of Boracay and Palawan which are renowned globally for its beautiful white sands.
I am hoping this temporary closure be the last Boracay will ever experience.