No closure, but rehab planned for El Nido

MANILA, Philippines— After a surprise inspection in El Nido town last week, the Boracay inter-agency task force concluded that the world-famous island of Palawan faces environmental problems similar to Boracay.

On November 28, the Boracay inter-agency task force composed of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año inspected the island of El Nido. They also discussed plans for a clean-up drive and rehabilitation of the island.

ATM: Inspection of El Nido, Palawan led by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año#sustainabletourism #itsmorefuninthephilippines pic.twitter.com/M2ZMnWstsi

— Visit Philippines (@TourismPHL) November 28, 2018

The inter-agency task force concluded that El Nido has similar problems as Boracay such as the easement of shoreline, waste disposal management, and overcrowding.

Boracay was closed to local and foreign tourists for six months since April 26 for the same reason.The temporary closure was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to pave way for the island's rehabilitation.

'No closing El Nido'

However, the inter-agency task force said it does not plan on closing El Nido.

"Instead a better Boracay restored to its pristine qualities should now be a role model that fosters a culture of sustainable tourism,” Puyat said in a release.

According to DOT, El Nido had 200,000 tourists and generated P500 million in 2017.

In August 2018, The Venue Report urged its readers to visit El Nido in Palawan, adding that it is an alternative to the popular Bali in Indonesia.

International magazine Travel+Leisure last January also included El Nido in its list of 15 Best Beach Destinations to visit.

READ: El Nido cited as ‘ultimate beach destination’

Meanwhile, the inter-agency task force said it is now working on the creation of the National Rehabilitation and Tourism Management Committee that would oversee the condition of destinations in the country.

DOT said it would look into Coron (Busuanga), Puerto Galera, Panglao, Bohol and Siargao after El Nido. —Rosette Adel