Five out of 9 wetlands in this famed island resort have yet to be cleared of informal settlers and illegal structures, according to an official from the Environment department. DENR undersecretary Benny Antiporda said this as the tourism stakeholders prepare for today’s official island reopening. Antiporda called the wetlands as “kidneys” of Boracay because they filter inland wastewater before it flows to the sea.

DENR exec: 5 of 9 Boracay wetlands still not cleared. (2018, October 26). Panay News, p. 9.