Larissa Ramos because my country produces a lot of air pollution as well." Ramos, 20 years old at the time of the event, was crowned the Miss Earth 2009 during the coronation night at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Boracay Island, besting 79 other beauties from around the world. She succeeded Miss Earth 2008 winner Karla Henry from the Philippines. Miss Earth 2009 winner's court included Philippines' Sandra Seifert, 25, who was named "Miss Air" (1st Runner-up), Venezuela's Jessica Barboza, 22, was hailed "Miss Water" (2nd Runner-up), and Alejandra Echevarria, 20, of Spain got the title "Miss Fire" (3rd
Boracay installed to remedy the insufficient sewage and septic conditions in the island, environmental concerns regarding coliform bacteria persisted due to noncompliance of some business establishments in the island. In 2004, only 51 percent of hotels and restaurants in Boracay and 25 percent of all households were connected to the island's central sewage system. In 2005, Boracay was declared a "special tourism zone". In April 2006, Arroyo gave the PTA administrative control over Boracay, to be exercised in coordination with the provincial government. In 2009, Boracay Island Water Co. (BIWC), won a contract to improve the supply of potable water and