‘Wetlands key to potable water’

 Environmental officials are studying how to best preserve the remaining wetlands in this island resort.

Research suggests that maintaining the wetlands is key to ensuring potable water, according to Merlene Aborka, Technical Services Section chief at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.

“Some of the wetlands were damaged as a result of quick development,” said Aborka. “We have filed (appropriate) cases in court. They remain pending at this time.”

Protecting the wetlands cannot be done by the government alone, she said.

“We need the help of all stakeholders in ensuring the environmental sustainability of Boracay,” said Aborka. “But the problem is every stakeholder seems to have their own interpretation of how to save Boracay from environmental degradation.”

Meanwhile some locals said the white sand may be “degrading” due to the continuous arrival of tourists.

Around 1.7 million tourists have visited the island as of Dec. 27, 2016.

“Each tourist leaving Boracay carries in their sandals or shoes some of the white sand,” a resident who requested anonymity said. “Imagine how much of our white sand are disappearing yearly.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has not yet conducted a study on this.