Group No.

14
Moredo, Ruel V.
Perez, Ann Jeannette C.

BORACAYS ROAD TO RUIN

Ruel: Hey! Summer is fast approaching. Its the perfect time to visit the
pristine white beaches and clear blue waters of Boracay.

Ann: Oh hey! I think so but are you aware that Boracay, touted as one of
the worlds best beaches, is in danger of turning into an
environmental disaster due to the inconsistent enforcement of
wastewater rules and sanitation?

Ruel: I just happened to see that news a while ago. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje expressed
alarm over the poor water quality in Boracay. Excessive green, slimy
algae are marring its famous shoreline during summer months. Where
do you think they come from?

Ann: Business establishments near the area said that the algae occurs
naturally as a seasonal event but according to some environmentalists
it is caused by the undiscerning dumping of refuse and sewage by
residents/visitors directly into the waters. This results in polluting the
very sea in which hordes of people, many of them children and
families frolic and swim.

Ruel: So it is a problem compounded by the islands inadequate sewerage

and drainage system. Even though DENR indicated that the island
remains safe for swimming, I think these will greatly affect Boracays
source of revenue - tourism. Tourist visitors might get squeamish
getting into the water because of the appearance of algae.

Ann: Without a doubt, yes. The massive inflow of tourists is putting

immense pressure on the islands inadequate sewerage system. Good
thing about the government, they started to launch programs to cure
the problem. Havent you heard?

Ruel: Oh, I see. The Solid Waste Management Act is implemented which
sets national standards for waste management and provides
guidelines for volume reduction via minimization measures that
include recycling, reuse, recovery and composting before collection,
treatment and disposal in suitable dump sites.

Ann: Also, the Boracay Department of Tourism have a momentary ban on

the issuance of building permits by the local provincial agencies as
long as there are still concerns over the worrying tourism problems.
Ruel: In addition to that, the implementation of the Clean Water Act will
also help lessen the problem. It prohibits the discharging or
depositing of any water pollutant to the water body, or such which will
impede the natural flow of the water body; and the unauthorized
transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid waste,
among others. Anyone caught discharging wastewater into a water
body will have to pay a wastewater charge.

Ann: As well as the stakeholders on the island, they are doing their share to
save Boracay from the negative effect of this outbreak to the tourism
industry. Among the stakeholders involved are the local government of
Malay, Boracay Foundation Incorporated, Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry- Boracay, Department of Tourism, and the
Boracay Island Water Company.

Ruel: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also posing

a shutdown on resorts and other commercial establishments
contributing to the poor quality of water in Boracay. The environment
chief said that those establishments that do not have their own
sewage treatment plants will be required to connect to the island's
sewer lines.

Ann: But we cannot let the DENR resolve the problem alone, right?

Ruel: Of course, the responsibility for keeping the waters of Boracay safe
and clean does not lie with DENR alone. A presidential task force is
made which will be on top of this situation.

Ann: Great! Its time for the presidential task force in Boracay to get their
act together. As a first phase, they should start cracking down on
buildings that inappropriately discharge wastewater to illegal sewers.
If they dont act as soon as possible, the countrys showcase beach
that is Boracay will be internationally renowned as a tropical
wasteland instead of a paradise.

Ruel: Clearly, if the resorts owners want to keep attracting tourists, then
they should pay the price of keeping the ecological balance of the
island.

Ann: Once the beauty of the island of Boracay dies away, surely they will
realize that they had killed the hen that lays golden eggs.

Ruel: Yes, and when that time arrives, it will be too late for them to
resuscitate it.

Ann: Thank you for taking time deliberating this issue, it was both
enjoyable and informative.

Ruel: Happy to discuss this matter, if you have any concern, just let me
know!