One of the country’s top vacation spots is going green — and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Boracay, which is known for its 4-kilometer stretch of white sand, beautiful coastline and thriving nightlife, has been besieged by green algae growth.
The algal bloom makes Boracay’s crystal-clear beaches appear dark green and polluted. It is most visible in station 2, where most commercial establishments are located.
Earlier this month tourists have expressed their disappointment with the unsightly beach said to be degraded by tourism-related activities.
Read: An ‘algae’ truth: Tourists express disappointment over untreated waters in Boracay
According to Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Boracay’s sewage system is not enough to accommodate the island’s growing population.
“Dr. Miguel Fortes, University of the Philippines scientist and member of the Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Management (Cecam) project, noted that untreated sewage on the eastern side of Boracay has reached alarming levels,” reports the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
While some of the locals are alarmed, there are others who think that this green phenomenon is just a harbinger of summer.
“The green algae always come during the hot, summer season,” said Mario Saguiente from Aklan. “When the algae arrive, it means that summer is coming. It’s been coming and going since we were young.”
He emphasized that the mats of algae have always been there even before crowds of tourists started visiting the popular island.
Julius Alegre of Discovery Shores Boracay agreed, but he also added that algae growth started earlier than usual because of climate change.
“If the algae growth stems from pollution why are there no growths during the rainy season, or in the cold months of October to December? It should be a yearlong occurrence, right?” Alegre asked.
What can tourists do to help keep Boracay the paradise that it is?
It’s always a good idea to choose environmentally-friendly hotels and restaurants on the island. There are many establishments which help in keeping the sustainability of Boracay’s environmental condition.
Boracay got the top spot in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2016.
