By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The coliform level in Boracay’s waters has gone down significantly, a year after the rehabilitation of the island paradise started, according to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. “Much has changed in Boracay since we started and I am happy that we are able to sustain the gains we achieved since we reopened in October last year,” Cimatu said. (DENR / MANILA BULLETIN) The resort island was closed to the public for six months on April 26, 2018 to pave the way for its rehabilitation from serious environmental damage. Cimatu, who heads the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), said the coliform level in Boracay waters “has significantly gone down” based on the latest water quality monitoring done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB). He noted that the highest coliform level so far recorded was only 40 most probable number per 100 milliliters (mpn/100 ml), significantly less than the millions detected before the rehabilitation. The safe level is 100 mpn/100 ml for Class SB water that is suitable for swimming, skin diving, and other recreational activities. He also reported that there had been “no algae year-round,” indicating that “it is really the dirty water which is causing what used to be a natural occurrence.” Cimatu said the entire stretch of Boracay’s White Beach was already safe for swimming, and he was hoping the Bulabog Beach, which is now solely used for water sports, will also be declared “swimmable” soon. So far, the DENR chief said 51 establishments along the White Beach already have their own sewage treatment plants (STPs) while others were already connected to the sewer line. Meanwhile, 42 establishments in other areas of the island opted to have their own STPs, he added. He said demolition orders have been served on establishments for violating the 25+ 5 meter easement rule along the White Beach and Bulabog Beach, with almost all of them choosing to self-demolish. Those who violated the 12-meter road easement were also ordered to remove their illegal structures. Cimatu said the construction of the Circumferential Road will continue. “Last year, it would take tourists an hour to reach their hotels because of traffic congestion. Now it would only take 20 minutes because of the paved and cleared roads,” he said. At present, the road from Cagban Port to Hue hotel is now 95 percent finished; Hue Hotel to the Elizalde property is 95 percent done, and what is called the Missing Gap is also 95 percent completed. Plans are also underway to make Cagban Jetty Port an all-year-round port. Previously, it was only used from November to April as an alternate to Tagbisaan Jetty Port, which is used during rainy season from May to October.