Baguio among tourist spots up for possible rehabilitation – DOT

With the world-famous Boracay Island now facing closure for six months, Baguio City could be the next popular tourist destination to be assessed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for environmental damage.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo told GMA 7 news program "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday that the Summer Capital of the Philippines was also in need of rehabilitation.

"Of course, Baguio will be considered as one. Dapat i-rehabilitate na rin. Lahat ng mga tourist destinations will now be looked at. All of them. Not only the beaches but also the nature," Teo explained.

Almost two months after President Rodrigo Duterte called it a "cesspool," Boracay would be closed for six months starting on April 26 to make way for the island's rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Teo said she would be giving a talk on the government's moves at a forum in Argentina.

"They are interested in Boracay kahit may closure. I will tell them the real score in Boracay. They need to know what we are doing," she said.

Much like Boracay, Baguio City attracts as many as 500,000 people during the holidays.

The mountain city had also been cited for having the most polluted air in the country, which was partly due to the high number of people using vehicles. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News