2018 Boracay closure and redevelopment 2018 Boracay closure and redevelopment The closure of the Philippine resort island of Boracay, one of the nation's major tourist destinations, was set for six months starting April 26, 2018 as part of the government's efforts at the island's environmental rehabilitation. As part of the closure, Boracay would be closed except to registered island residents and employees of its business establishments. In a business forum held in February 9, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte called the island of Boracay a "cesspool" and announced plans to close the island to tourists and conduct a rehabilitation on the island in June 2018 to
2018 Boracay closure and redevelopment to be an indicator of pollution and deteriorating water conditions. The Malay municipal government, some business operators, and some residents insist that the algal bloom is a natural seasonal phenomenon that usually occurs annually in the summer, and occurred on Boracay even before the island became developed. Boracay Island Water Co. operates the sewage network of Boracay which accommodates only 61 percent of the island. The island has two central sewerage treatment plants with a total a total capacity of 11.5 million liters/day, one in Barangay Balabag and another in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, and plans the construction of a third plant