BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu officially declared on Monday that Boracay is no longer a “cesspool” as it is set to mark the partial reopening of the island to local tourists.
Cimatu also declared the waters of Boracay, particularly at the White Beach, as safe for swimming during the Salubungan event to mark the first day of the dry run for island resort’s official reopening on October 26.
“We declare now that Boracay Island is no longer a cesspool, but an island whose body of water surrounding it has passed the standard for it be fit for swimming,” Cimatu told the Aklanons who have been first allowed to set foot on the island during the dry run period until October 25.
Cimatu said the coliform level of the waters of the island is now within the standard limit.
The water quality monitoring of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) showed that coliform level at the White Beach is just within three MPN (most probable number) per 100 millimeters. The standard is 100 MPN.
“From being dubbed as cesspool, to its closure for the island tourists for six months, and after undergoing massive rehabilitation efforts, we offer to you a better Boracay,” Cimatu said.
He said the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force for Rehabilitation will continue to work on making other areas on the island safe for swimming, particularly in Bulabog side.
He said the task force will also continue to monitor the new policies implemented in the island, one of which is the carrying capacity.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat said they have already talked with the local and international airlines to limit their flights to ensure that only limited tourists could go to the island.
Only 6,405 tourists are allowed to enter Boracay for each day, she reiterated.
Puyat also urged the public to book only with compliant establishments.
As of October 12, the DOT has accredited 68 hotels, resorts and other accommodation establishments.
Meanwhile, the Salubungan event was also attended by Interior and Local Government OIC Secretary Eduardo Año, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
Following the Salubungan event, the task force led the unveiling of the design for the wetland developments in Wetland No. 3 and No. 4 which will be adopted by San Miguel Corporation and Aboitiz Group, respectively.
The task force also officially opened the new Bulabog Road which will serve as alternate route towards Mt. Luho and Barangay Yapak. (/PNA)
