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BY LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
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January 15, 2018
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THERE’S a saying among seasoned travellers that one has never been truly to the Philippines unless one has been to Boracay or has eaten balut. As one who’s a practicing vegetarian for almost three decades, moi has no comment on that disgusting unborn duck embryo they pass off as food.
But Boracay? That’s another matter evoking memories of pristine white sand beach, sexy girls in bikinis, clear blue waters, tequila, ice cold beer, reggae, beach volleyball, and more sexy bikini babes. Truly a hedonist’s paradise on earth.
According to Trip Advisor’s Top 25 Beaches in the World 2017 Travellers’ Choice Awards, White Beach, Boracay is No.24 and this is what they say:
“Calm, warm waters, gently sloping sand. Very relaxing. Possibly the most beautiful beach in Asia.”
On the other hand, Lonely Planet’s Guide to the Top 25 Beaches in the World has this to say about Boracay:
“White Beach is the center of the action in party-heavy Boracay, Philippines, and home to a monthly full moon party. If all-night partying isn’t for you, at least catch a stunning sunset before turning in.”
A fellow traveller and colleague, an Englishman, has this comment: “Ibiza is no longer the beach to be but White Beach in Boracay is.”
Moi first stepped on Boracay’s pristine white sand beach sometime in 1972 after an almost harrowing two-hour trip by pump boat from Ibajay (Caticlan jetty port was not even a concept then).
There were seven of us – three guys and three girls and one gay guy. We were a motley crew of long haired/tie dye clad hippies out for a high and free love on a deserted island which we did, but for the sake of the minors we need not mention the details.
It was 27 years after that moi came back to Boracay and for a decade and a half we were alternating Bohol and Boracay every year till the last trip in 2012.
It’s ironic after sort of coming back to Iloilo for good in 2014, a lot of circumstances prevented moi from going to Boracay.
Since that first trip in 1972 till the last trip in 2012, moi has seen the island morphed from an almost deserted island to something resembling a fusion between South Beach in Florida and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.
Of course, with the changes and development come the inevitable trappings of progress i.e. garbage, pollution and other environmental issues. And this is not an acceptable price to pay for progress. With proper sustainable practices all these environmental issues can be properly controlled and managed.
The last time moi was in Boracay, the situation environment-wise was not good. But it was not that bad. Just a month ago after tropical storm “Urduja” paid the island a visit, the iconic D’Mall looked like España Street in Manila after your usual heavy rains while an estimated 90 percent of the roads in Boracay were submerged in floodwaters.
Paradise lost?
Here are excerpts from the Jan. 11 issue of Panay News:
‘IT’S A SHAME!’ DOT: Poor sewer system in Boracay
Over 100 business establishments in Boracay Island would soon be held accountable for lack of proper sanitary sewer system.
“It’s a shame that Boracay, which has repeatedly been recognized by prestigious travel magazines as the world’s most beautiful island, may yet end up a lost paradise if water contamination continues,” warned Tourism secretary Wanda Teo.
Meeting with stakeholders in Boracay yesterday together with Environment secretary Roy Cimatu, Teo revealed that a draft executive order would be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte to address the island’s environmental problems.
“We can only maintain Boracay’s picture-perfect qualities if we can strictly enforce responsible tourism,” said Teo.
Cimatu, on the other hand, said he would order a special inspection of wastewater treatment facilities in Boracay.
He challenged the hospitality industry to “actively participate” in the promotion and preservation of the resort island.
Cimatu vowed to enforce the Philippine Clean Water Act in Boracay.
“We will test the water all over the island,” he said.
Last month, DENR warned 11 establishments in Boracay they faced closure should they fail to properly manage their wastewater.
Around 180 establishments were inventoried by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR from July to October 2017.
The inventory found 11 establishments with unconnected sewerage system and their waste materials went directly to the drainage canal, said DENR regional director Jim Sampulna.
Establishments that failed to comply with their commitments after the technical conference risked having their environmental compliance certificates cancelled, said Sampulna.
The Department of Tourism also promised to cancel these establishments’ accreditation while the local government of Malay would do the same with their business permits, he added.
Boracay is still one of the best beaches in the world but not for long if they don’t get their acts together it may end up as one of the world’s worst cesspools. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com)/PN
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