These days, visitors to White Beach need only a quick glance at the shoreline to conclude that the water quality in the country’s premier tourist destination has improved, according to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. Speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the six-month closure of Boracay to tourists, Cimatu said the absence of clumps of green algae along the main beach was an indication that the water had become clean and safe for swimming after government efforts to stop the discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea. Unlike in the past, the highest level of coliform bacteria in recent months has been 40 MPN (most probable number) per 100 milliliters, Cimatu said at a press conference after a meeting of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) on Thursday. “And in some months, it was single digit,” he added.

Burgos, N. P. Jr. (2019, April 27). Boracay waters safe for swimmers-DENR: Environment chief notes absence of algal blooms on beach after island rehab. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A8.