By Gabriela Baron
The Department of the Interior and Local Government recommended the closure of three barangays in Bacuit Bay and one in Corong-Corong in El Nido Palawan on Friday.
Secret Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan. (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU/MANILA BULLETIN file photo)
The three-month closure would mean banning water activities and swimming since the waters have been contaminated with human waste.
"It was found that Bacuit Bay and Corong-Corong Outfall are in a dreadful condition with one outfall's fecal coliform level reaching more than 3.4M MPN (most probable number)/100 ML." according to a document released by the DILG.
Based on the reports of locals and tourists, the bay has a poor water quality and the algae prevalence is worse that Boracay Island's before it was rehabilitated.
The rehabilitation will be done to preserve the area and prevent the tourists and locals from contacting diseases.
However, the Department of Tourism said that rehabilitation without closure is still possible.
El Nido is one of the Philippine's top destination spots. With Palawan also being named as the second best island in the world according to Travel+Leisure magazine's "The World's Best Awards 2019".
Secret Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan. (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU/MANILA BULLETIN file photo)
The three-month closure would mean banning water activities and swimming since the waters have been contaminated with human waste.
"It was found that Bacuit Bay and Corong-Corong Outfall are in a dreadful condition with one outfall's fecal coliform level reaching more than 3.4M MPN (most probable number)/100 ML." according to a document released by the DILG.
Based on the reports of locals and tourists, the bay has a poor water quality and the algae prevalence is worse that Boracay Island's before it was rehabilitated.
The rehabilitation will be done to preserve the area and prevent the tourists and locals from contacting diseases.
However, the Department of Tourism said that rehabilitation without closure is still possible.
El Nido is one of the Philippine's top destination spots. With Palawan also being named as the second best island in the world according to Travel+Leisure magazine's "The World's Best Awards 2019".