BOOM BOOM BORACAY!
comparison Infographics
For the past years, Boracay has been one of the go-to places in the Philippines. With its white sand beach and colorful night life, it isn’t surprising that millions of people come and visit it from all over the world. In fact, it was awarded the world’s best island in 2016 in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Award. Also, it was voted one of the Top 10 Island Destinations in 2016 by CTrip, a Chinese travel service provider. In 2008, it was also named “Number One Beach” in the Philippines by the Department of Tourism, after it generated Php 11.6 billion in revenues that year. However, as we all know, what comes up must come down. Boracay’s extreme success was also the reason for its downfall. On average, 2.1 million tourists per year and 40 000 per week visits boracay, who for the most part, are quite undisciplined when it comes to waste disposal. As an island of opportunity, locals reaped this benefit and created unlicensed and unmonitored businesses. Its natural resources were abused for monetary gains. Trees were cut down to create space for buildings and hotels. Corals were ruined due to unmonitored snorkeling activities. And, the beach was polluted with waste both by the locals and the tourists. In this last year’s poll by the popular travel site, TripAdvisor, Boracay landed 24th among the top 25 beaches in the site’s “2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards.” It fell down from being 12th in 2016 and 7th in 2015. Why? Because, as our current President Duterte have said, Boracay has turned into a cesspool, teeming with plenty of waste and pollution. The once loved Paradise has now become a disgusting and corrupt place.
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The Water
From clear blue, crystalline to a now green muck-filled water, Boracay’s beauty has truly been compromised by its success. Corals and fishes used to be seen from above water, but now all you can see is green algae. The truth is algal blooms are normal in beaches, but only during the summer. It was discovered that the reason why algae was prominent in the beach was because of untreated waste water being dumped into the sea. Sewage systems from businesses on the island was found to lead directly to the beach instead of leading to the Boracay Island Water Company, where waste water should be treated before being released into the sea. After studying the waters, high levels of coliform were found in it. Coliforms are bacteria that are usually found in human and animal wastes or from decaying organisms. This is believed to be the reason why algae grew so remarkably.
The Shore
Before, corals and fish were abundant and colorful. But after years of neglect, even the coral reefs and fishes were compromised. The coral cover in Boracay decreased by 70.5 % from 1998 to 2011, along with the increase of arriving tourists. Different activities can be done in Boracay, including snorkeling and diving. But, when unmonitored and undisciplined tourists do it, disastrous consequences were reaped. In fact, according to a study from 2010 to 2015, the coral reef ecosystem has been seriously corrupted by tourism-related activities. It was also caused by the same reason algae is so prominent in the beach, the direct release of untreated waste water. As we all know, coral reefs are home to many fish. By destroying corals, fishes become lesser in number as well.
The Land
Another change observed in boracay would be how it used to be abundant in forestry. However, to accommodate the thousands of tourists entering the island, forests were cleared to pave way for business establishments. Despite Boracay being a protected area where construction is prohibited within 30 meters from the shore, due to loose enforcement of the law, business establishments were easily constructed within this area. The law that states this was in fact signed in 2006, the ease of shoreline rule defined by Presidential Proclamation 1064. One of the business establishments that disregarded this law was West Cove Resort.
To conclude, the Philipiines has always been known for its beautiful sceneries and locations. But, it is also known for its undisciplined citizens and loose enforcement and implementation of laws. Because of this, opportunities for economical gain, like Boracay, are easily abused and not maintained. Boracay was a paradise, and thanks to the efforts of the current government, it is well on its way to rehabilitation. This should be a lesson to people all around the world. We must know how to take care of the world and its beauty, or else serious consequences that backfires on us occurs.