El Nido, Palawan

Tabilog, Andrey
Argana, Jeninah Joy
Mendoza, Angelica Lyn
EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Tourism secretary Berna Puyat describes El Nido, Palawan, as overcrowded. She says government agencies will come up
with a study similar to the one done to Boracay, which would determine El Nido’s carrying capacity.
DILG's inspection of the island brought the authorities to mull over the decision of rehabilitating El Nido, Palawan, after
the officials discovered that water in some outfalls contained oil and human waste.
In April of 2018, the island of Boracay in the Philippines was closed down by the government due to the ravaging effects
of over tourist. The tourism industry was so detrimental to the island, in fact, that the president of the Philippines
referred to it as a “cesspool.” Boracay simply could not support the weight of the insane numbers of tourists and would
require six months of complete rehabilitation.
The tourism boom in the Philippines didn’t just affect Boracay, though. Recently, El Nido has begun to undergo the same
cycle. Partly because of tourism shifting from Boracay to the next best thing, and partly because of the same tourism
growth that Boracay was subject to in the first place, tourism in El Nido has nearly tripled over the last five years. This
has resulted in some serious environmental repercussions. Now, El Nido might be facing the same fate as Boracay:
governmental closure. Even if such an extreme move can be avoided, some parts are still closed off to swimmers,
according to CNN.
DENR to regulate tourism in El Nido, Palawan to prevent another ‘Boracay’
TO prevent the problems besetting Boracay from being repeated in El Nido, Palawan, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) is now taking a proactive approach before environmental problems become
unmanageable
In a press statement, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said he wants to implement policies to help minimize the
negative impact of tourism in El Nido.
Reports showed El Nido is beset with problems of diminishing water quality, biodiversity loss, flooding and proliferation
of informal settlers, business establishments and structures without a permit, and a host of other problems.
Officials of DENR in Mimaropa have identified El Nido as a priority area. El Nido used to be known for promoting
sustainable tourism. Situated within the province known as the country’s last ecological frontier, El Nido boasts of rich
flora and fauna, breath-taking landscapes and small-island scenery, lagoons with pristine waters.
Big resorts in Boracay are facing closure if they are found violating environmental laws. The DENR is in the process of
validating a list of resorts not connected to the existing sewer system on Boracay Island.
The 2016 report of the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office said tourist arrival in the town increased by more than 30
percent annually in the last three years, with last year reaching almost 200,000.
This does not only mean increased revenue for the town, but also increased demand for fresh water, timber, and other
construction materials, use of fuel and consumer goods, and activities in the islands, all of which exert tremendous
pressure on the rich biodiversity of El Nido.
In the Big Lagoon, only 60 guests will be allowed at any one time or a maximum of 720 guests per day. In the Small
Lagoon, a maximum of 30 guests will be allowed at any one time or a total of 360 persons per day. For the Secret Beach,
only 12 visitors will be allowed at any one time or a total of 144 a day.
Limits on the number of conveyances have also been set – maximum of five boats in the anchorage area and 30 kayaks
inside the Big Lagoon, only 15 kayaks inside the Small Lagoon, and two boats in the anchorage area of Secret Beach.
Moreover, activities such as fishing, cliff jumping, grilling of food, and playing of loud music have been prohibited in the
three spots.
In another resolution, PAMB identified the Strict Protection Zone, areas with high biodiversity value, that shall be closed
to human activity except for scientific research and/or ceremonial use by indigenous communities. These include
Helicopter Island, Balinaud Beach, Turtle Island, and Pacanayan Island.

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El Nido, Palawan

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Tabilog, Andrey

Argana, Jeninah Joy

Mendoza, Angelica Lyn

DENR to regulate tourism in El Nido, Palawan to prevent another ‘Boracay’

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