Gov't limits tourist visits to El Nido lagoons

The inter-agency task force of the government has set limits on the number of tourists that may visit the breath-taking and enchanting lagoons of El Nido, Palawan amid its six-month rehabilitation.

According to a report on "Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong," only 360 tourists per day may visit the Small Lagoon. A group of only 30 tourists at a time will be allowed.

The Big Lagoon, on the other hand, may welcome 720 tourists per day. The number of visitors should only be 60 per batch.

According to authorities, the numbers were based on the carrying capacity of the tourist spot.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she was disappointed when she visited El Nido in September.

She recalled seeing a lagoon that was teeming with visitors irresponsibly throwing trash on the water.

"Tapos ang hindi ko nagustuhan, sa end ng mga boat may banyo pero 'yung banyo walang ilalim. So ibig sabihin 'pag nagbabanyo sila deretso sa lagoon," Puyat added.

The report cited a study showing that the coliform count in a beach water sample from El Nido ranges from 1,100-1,300 mpn.

The standard count to declare that a body of water is safe to swim at is 100 mpn.

"Kapag lumangoy ka dyan, kapag nakainom ka ng tubig nyan, may posibilidad na sumakit ang tiyan or magkasakit ka," Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.

The local government of El Nido earlier assured that the water quality in the area would improve within the rehabilitation period.

Easement zone

The strict implementation of the three-meter easement zone in highly-urbanized El Nido has also started.

Twenty-two establishments have been closed as part of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of the local government.

Some owners of establishments voluntarily demolished the structures that go beyond the easement boundary.

The Water Code of the Philippines sets the easement zone at 3 meters for urban areas, 20 meters for agricultural areas and 40 meters for forest areas.

Other famous tourist destinations in the country such as Panglao, Bohol; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Coron, Palawan; and Baguio City will undergo rehabilitation.

"Lahat po 'yan sisilipin, lahat po 'yan pupuntahan. Lahat ho 'yan i-implement natin ang full force of the law," Antiporda said. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News