Admittedly, I asked myself why it took me so long to visit and discover the wonders of the island when, as early as the 1990s, Boracay was already known for its magnificent white sand beach, and hailed by international travel magazines as a top 10 destination and among the best islands in the world. Today, it is one place in the country that we cannot even boast about. The island was closed for cleanup and rehabilitation last April for a period of six months after it was described as a “cesspool” by President Duterte. The growth of coliform bacteria, resulting from the failure of business establishments to install the required septic and sewerage systems, has plagued the area for years.

Marin, G. R. R. (2018, September 14). What to do with Boracay?. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A13.