BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Caticlan and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are conducting a weeklong water sampling at the Bulabog beach at the back of this resort island.
Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, chief of PCG-Caticlan, said Wednesday that they are coordinating with the DENR as part of the mandate to ensure environmental protection of the coastline.
The Bulabog beach became the center of controversy after President Rodrigo R. Duterte saw on video the algal blooms and the poor environmental situation in the area.
The video shown in February prompted the President to declare Boracay a “cesspool”.
“This is a weeklong activity. The water samples are being taken at the beach and the coastline of Bulabog,” he said,
DENR Region 6 (Western Visayas) Assistant Regional Director Livino Duran said that the water samples will be submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau in Iloilo City that will determine the result whether the beach is safe for swimming or not.
The same result of the water sample will then be submitted to President Duterte.
Bulabog beach, is not known for being white-sand beaches and still waters, but more popular for its wind and kite surfing. (Jun Aguirre/PNA)