By Tara Yap
Despite the recurrence of algae along the beaches of Boracay, Arjunn Calvo of the Environmental Management Bureau-Region VI (EMB-6), a division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region VI (DENR-6), said the latest monitoring report shows the waters of Boracay are “within normal range of safety.”
Monitoring stations reported a total fecal coliform standard of 200 most probable number (mpn) per 100 millimeter (ml); the safe standard for swimming is 1,000 mpn/ml.
Previously, DENR-6 Director Jim Sampulna blamed the algae presence on untreated wastewater, while Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) Director, Atty. Helen Catalbas, believes it is because certain establishments were not linked into Boracay Island Water Company pipelines.
However, according to the Boracay Foundation, Inc., green algae is seasonal and typically appears between February and May./WDJ