ECO-TOURISM IS THE GOLDEN GOOSE of rural Philippines.
Article in rappler.com: Ecotourism can provide sustainable livelihood to Filipinos
Tourism brings the most economic value of all service industries to the provinces fortunate enough to have unique or special appeal. Palawan, Bohol, Aklan (for Boracay), Mindoro (for Puerto Galera) come to mind. I remember learning that the Department of Tourism, back in 2011, estimated that the average expenditure, per day, of a visitor to Palawan was P3,500. That included airfare, lodging, food, souvenirs, and tours.
Article in inquirer.net: El Nido beach tests positive for coliform
I recall having a conversation with the Vice-Mayor of El Nido about this. Yes, he said, they’re not going to repeat the mistakes of Boracay.
But they are.
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: excerpt from the article linked above
“The sewer lines from houses and establishments are directly emptying into the beach of El Nido. I was literally jumping over stench-filled canals,” Acosta said.
Laboratory examination of water samples from Bacuit Bay exceeded tolerable limits of pollutants, he added.
The evident cause of beach pollution in El Nido, Acosta observed, is the absence of a proper drainage system in the municipality.
What’s wrong with the locals? Don’t they realize they’re killing the golden goose?
Retired? No way! 
Was in Batanes recently and saw how beautiful the place is. Keeping my fingers crossed that they have their act together in this regard. It would be so sad to see this place turn into a Boracay.
While the Vice Mayor has the intent, he needs to back this up with the proper infrastructure. Do people in government realize what it takes to keep a place “pristine?”
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it’s also happening in Coron. Last May, Coron Bay exceeded acceptable levels of the coliform and I just read an article about a high end resort that was just shut down when they were caught with a huge volume of illegal lumber – a 100,000 board feet of it! That’s 553 trees.
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Thanks for the comment Feists.
Yes, that was a worrisome report about the discovery of the illegally-harvested trees at that mainland Chinese-owned resort in Coron.
The Chinese who come live in the Philippines seem to be bringing their destructive habits with them. Tsk, tsk.
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