From the 26 April 2018 onwards, Boracay island will be closed to tourist for 6 months to fix sewage and environmental-related problems. President Rodrigo Duterte himself described the island’s once clear blue waters had turned into a “cesspool”, it’s smelly.

According to Straits Times online, there has been an increase in coliform bacteria level, which indicates faecal contamination in the waters around Boracay and it can cause diarrhoea and other issues. 

With the total closure, many lost their jobs, hotels, restaurants, and stores are affected, as well as airlines. “Calamity funds” were activated to provide financial relief, airlines are providing refunds, and tourist who heard the news in February had already cancel their bookings.

Tourism had also ceased marketing Boracay and currently promoting alternative destinations in Western Visayas.