Palace to LGUs: Strictly implement anti-littering laws in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang called on local government officials in Boracay to strictly enforce the anti-littering ordinance in the world-class island resort, following a viral video which recorded two tourists spoiling the beach.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo pushed for the need to implement the local ordinances related to environment protection to preserve the beauty of Boracay.

“We understand that most local government units have an anti-littering ordinance. We therefore ask the heads of these LGUs to strictly implement the same, and apprehend violators accordingly,” Panelo said.

Panelo also called on the public to make sure that the tourists abide by the basic rules on cleanliness and discipline. “We urge everyone — locals and foreign nationals alike — to help in making and maintaining our surroundings and our communities clean and safe for everyone’s appreciation and pleasure,” he said.

“We feel insulted with such discourtesy done in the beautiful island this administration recently rehabiltated with intense and collective efforts employed by various departments and agencies of the government,” he added.

Authorities have not yet identified the two female tourists in the viral defecation video, with one woman recorded washing a toddler’s buttocks  on the shore, while the other tried to bury what appeared to be the child’s diaper in the sand.

Boracay Interagency Rehabilitation Group General Manager Natividad Bernardino said on Friday that identifying the tourist seemed to be a “hopeless case.”

This is contrary to reports that the “foreign” tourist was already identified. She was allegedly Chinese but the authorities won’t pursue charges against her.

“The Bureau of Immigration is also trying to ascertain the identity of the tourist, and so is the local police,” Bernardino said.

Panelo said the Palace is commending the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the swift action in ordering an immediate clean-up in the portion of Boracay where the incident allegedly took place.

On Thursday, that portion of the beach was reopened after results of the water qualifying test was known.

Bernardino said the test, done by the Environmental Management Bureau-Region 6, showed that the coliform level in the area is less than 1 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliter (ml). Comparatively, when Boracay Island reopened after a six-month rehabilitation on October 2018, the coliform level was at 18 MPN/100 ml.

“We also laud the Department of Tourism for taking the right step of coordinating with tour operators and travel agencies on the proper travel etiquette in the Philippines so as to avoid a similar occurrence from taking place again,” Panelo said. – With Jennifer Rendon