When a demolition team arrived on Aug. 17, Mary Ann Casidsid pleaded for one more day to move out her family’s belongings before they tear down her house in one of the wetlands on Boracay Island. The clearing of the Boracay wetlands is one of the key components of the rehabilitation of the island, which was ordered shut down by President Duterte, who called one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations a “cesspool” due to pollution and haphazard and unregulated resort building. Olive Abañera, coordinator of We Are Boracay, a group of residents composed mostly of vendors, tricycle drivers, masseuses, tour guides and other workers in the informal sector, said the six-month rehabilitation was implemented with the least consideration of residents, especially those who lost their livelihood.

Burgos, N. P. Jr. (2018, October 20). Boracay reopening poses new concerns for residents, businesses. Philippine Daily Inquirer, A12.