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 combined with poorly monitored snorkeling activity in coral rich areas. The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) made efforts to remedy the situation by launching a "reefurbishment" program for the corals. In 2017, the BFI claimed the number of corals in Boracay increased from 15 to 20 percent since 2015 due to its project. Boracay has been experiencing an increased coliform bacteria population since the 1990s which contributed to a 60 percent decline in tourist arrivals in 1997. Although a potable water supply system, a solid waste disposal system, as well as a sewage treatment plant which began operation in 2003 were