Effort to conserve Boracay not enough, says environmental expert

An Aklanon researcher has expressed disappointment over what he claimed was lack of effort of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in ensuring environmental sustainability in this resort island.

Raymund Jacinto Sucgang who works as a researcher at the Philippine Nuclear Institute, organized a team in 2012 to conduct a study on the effect of algal bloom to corals in this resort island.

In 2013, he brought algal bloom samples to Japan for study. He said he took samplings during the post monsoon, pre-monsoon and during summer.

"The result is the waters of Boracay Island is polluted. I found the algal bloom harmful to corals while there is no study yet to determine its (algal bloom) effect to humans yet. I suggest tourists should swim from areas away from the presence of the algal bloom," Sucgang said.

Earlier, the DENR warned resorts here that it would order closure if they had found establishments contributing to the problem on algal bloom.

"The DENR should have undertaken the steps long ago. Right now the Boracay is sick and the way to treat it is through scientific background," Sucgang added.

"The problem continues to worsen since tourists continue to increase its number to Boracay," he added.

He also rejected the claims of the residents that the algal bloom is not harming this resort island.

"The residents may be referring to the green algal bloom. But the beach has presence of blue algal bloom indicating pollution. It came from undeclared septic systems discharging wastes into the sea. Even if it rains hard, the pollution in Boracay still exists," he said.