Few hours after Boracay’s first day of dry dun, trash was seen littered in some areas of the beach front on Monday, October 15.
Photos showing plastic bags and bottles scattered near the shoreline made the rounds on social media hours after the dry run ceremonies.
Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force head and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said garbage bins may be lacking in littered areas, CNN Philippines.
Tourism Undersecretary Arturo Boncato claimed that the items were picked up immediately after the Salubungan event happened early Monday morning.
“Maasahan niyo po na [Everyone can expect that] moving forward, within the next ten days, we have already started the feeling again of running the island. Kasama na rin po ‘yung pagkokolekta ng basura [Part of that will be collecting trash],” Boncato added.
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat posted on Twitter, Tuesday, that Cebu Pacific Air donated trash bins.
“No more excuses to litter. Throw your trash in the garbage bins, where they belong. Keep our beaches clean and pristine,” tweeted Puyat.
After the 10-day dry run open for Aklanon and Western Visayas residents, a ‘better’ Boracay is slated to have its soft opening for both foreign and domestic tourists on October 26.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to shut down the island’s operations for six months starting April 26 after he called Boracay a “cesspool.”
Photo credit: David Santos/CNN Philippines
