DILG wants temporary closure for rehab of some El Nido resorts

MANILA – Due to a high concentration of coliform bacteria, the Interior department is recommending temporary closure of beaches in some areas of the famous tourist destinations in El Nido, Palawan.

In an interview with undersecretary Epimaco Densing III of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the agency has already filed a recommendation for the temporary closure of some parts of the Bacuit Bay to tourists.

“Naghain na ng rekomendasyon ang DILG kaugnay ng monitoring ng mataas na lebel ng coliform, o maduming tubig sa ilang bahagi ng Bacuit Bay.”

“We have gathered the reports and some pictures shared by tourists visiting the area, at nakita natin mismo na napakadumi ng tubig doon at may lumulutang na dumi ng tao,” Densing added.

Secretary Eduardo Año has suggested the adoption of the “Boracay model” where an inter-agency task force was created for the rehabilitation of the world-famous island resort in Aklan.

“Secretary Año has already written to Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and to Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of the Department of Tourism.” Densing further said.

The three departments need to discuss the proposed closure as soon as possible.

According to him, the shutting down of parts of the Bacuit Bay would not hurt El Nido tourism too much because we are in the lean season, and besides, the bay is only a small portion of the 20-island destinations in Palawan.

Densing pointed out that the cleanup and rehabilitation program of the Bacuit Bay needs an inter-agency effort as what happened in Boracay. (GMA News)