The government on Monday declared the waters off Boracay Island “safe for swimming” as it started a 10-day “dry run” for the reopening of the resort island to tourists. Boracay returns to business on Oct. 26, ending a six-month shutdown for a general cleanup ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, who found the island had become a “cesspool” after decades of unhindered tourism and overdevelopment. About 1,000 islanders, workers and residents of mainland Aklan province stomped on Boracay’s powdery white sand beach and frolicked in the sea on Monday as Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu led the countdown to the reopening.

Gascon, M. (2018, October 16). Boracay safe for swimming, says Cimatu; 'dry run' starts. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.