The ongoing closure and rehabilitation of Boracay has been met with much controversy. Local business owners were up in arms because of lost revenues, while labor groups and NGOs complained of the heavy social cost. Many people, though, hailed the move as long overdue for the premier island paradise of the Philippines. The closure of Boracay was a drastic move, but dire situations necessitate quick action. For sure, the closure and rehabilitation effort could have been implemented in stages, but many doubt if such an approach would have worked. Maybe the Boracay closure is the bitter pill those in the industry, and the local government units that host these destinations need to swallow, to ensure it does not happen again.

Alcazaren, P. (2018, July 28). Postcards from Boracay. Philippine Star, pp. D1, D2.