El Nido rehab to push through without Boracay-like shutdown

The Department of Interior and Local Government will no longer push for the shutdown of some beaches in El Nido, Palawan—something akin to what the government did to Boracay in 2018.

According to a report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho", the rehabilitation of El Nido would continune even while it remains open to tourists.

Swimming, however, would be banned in some beaches such as those in Bacuit Bay and Corong-corong due high coliform levels.

The coliform level in Corong-corong, for instance, has reached 99,315. The normal level is 100.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said 90 percent of the businesses in El Nido did not follow environmantal laws and ordinances.

The local government in the areas was given 25 days to identify the establishments and even homes which were violating the environmental regulations.

"We gave them 20 days effective August 5 up to 25 to submit the result of investigation and inspection," Cimatu said.

"Iha-highlight doon yung mga non-compliant na nagba-violate ng environmental laws," he added.

"Walang business permit, walang accreditation ng tourism department," Cimatu said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said it was impossible to implement the 20-meter easement at the beaches.

"Aabutin siya sa kalsada. Mawa-wallop lahat ng structures d'on. So the solution there is 'wag mo na gamiting swimming area," Año said. —NB, GMA News