Blue waters, green shores: The environmental impact of Boracay's population boom

The appearance of dark green strands of algae on Boracay's usually pristine white shores is an annual sight, but just because it's a regular occurrence doesn't mean that all is well in paradise.

While its recurrence is not automatically hazardous, abnormal algal growth raises bigger issues and concerns.

Algal growth is related to the presence of nutrients from organic matter and waste, such as detritus and untreated water.

While a possible source of organic matter on beaches are rivers bringing nutrient-laden water from the mountains or areas with higher elevations, anthropogenic activities in Boracay are identified as a probable source of the algae’s nutrients. Boracay’s status as an island with no river tributaries and no major industries besides tourism seems to support the claim.

Some residents, however, refute this hypothesis, attesting the natural recurrence of algal bloom in the area.

Environmental impact analysis

Dr. Jose Regunay, a land use planner, was part of a team commissioned by the Department of Tourism to draft the Land Use Plan of Boracay during the terms of former secretaries Ace Durano and Ramon Jimenez. He acknowledged that they examined historical records, which showed reports of algal blooms in Boracay.

He says that “[the team’s] environmental expert went through monitoring records of water quality, and there are periods in the year where water quality is low. The assessment was this was due to the poor sewerage system in Boracay. You must remember that Boracay is home to 3 barangays, that it’s not only being used by tourists, but also local populace settlements. These occupants in the island, the visitors and the local residents, generate wastewater.”

Whether or not the algae is seasonal or pollution-induced, Boracay’s water quality has always been a key issue.

The area’s water condition is the effect of its development’s inability to keep up with the sudden population boom. And while the main selling point of Boracay is its chaos amidst a serene backdrop, it is debated that this model is not sustainable in the long run.

Explosive population growth

Regunay says that the influx of tourists is not the problem per se, but rather the rapid population growth on the island: it's almost six times higher than the national average.

This is attributed to in-migration due to the island’s booming tourism industry. Job-seekers have been consistently flocking in from mainland Aklan and other provinces. Main establishments along the main tourist area were built quickly to accommodate the rapid rise of visitor traffic and business activity, which in turn put stress on the sewerage system that was not designed for that high capacity of operation.

The situation led the DOT, the DENR, and LGUs to conduct studies and recommendations for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of Malay, Aklan—the local government in charge of Boracay.

Because of crackdowns by DENR and other government agencies, facilities and establishments have progressively been compliant with imposed standards. However, monitoring households proves to be a difficult task because of lack of manpower coupled with unprecedented growth in residential areas in Boracay.

Land use proposals

One of the proposed scenarios in the Land Use Plan was converting Boracay into a high-end tourism area to reduce the pressure on Boracay and inducing low-density development. This would prevent, however, low-income families and individuals from accessing its facilities.

Another proposed scenario was a mixed type of development aiming to redevelop the island’s white beach area and provide an appropriate sewerage system, while controlling the influx of local residents through these areas by developing the mainland. This was proposed so that those who would want to take advantage of the development in Boracay need not locate their business in the island, so long as appropriate linkage is provided between the mainland and the island.

Whichever scenario the LGU of Malay decides to adopt, the municipality is said to be taking steps to improve the water quality and sewerage system in Boracay. Main establishments and households are required by law to connect to the sewerage systems, specifically through Manila Water, but they still haven’t reached a hundred percent coverage of the area.

Preserving Boracay's ecosystem

Regunay reiterates that increasing the water quality of Boracay will help improve the island’s ecosystem and help preserve its beauty and wonder.

“The implication of Boracay’s demise will be far-reaching ‘til the national level. Everybody must be involved, from the local up to the national level, in making sure that the integrity of the ecosystem, the island ecosystem of Boracay which is very sensitive. Once ma-damage ‘yon, no amount of rehabilitation efforts will restore its integrity. Efforts must be done before it’s too late to prevent the complete deterioration of the Boracay ecosystem.” — TJD, GMA News