The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently launched the ecotourism tracking tool (ETT), which will monitor and evaluate ecotourism sites across the country in an effort to prevent future environmental hazards, similar to the one that prompted the ongoing closure of resort destination Boracay.

“ETT will enable, not just DENR, but all stakeholders to efficiently assess, to which degree, an ecotourism site is managed, according to a set of sustainability indicators,” explained DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu. “I have no doubt it will support proactive management of all ecotourism sites.”

The cabinet official said, prior to the closure, Boracay lacked guidelines and standards, which he claimed resulted in the current environmental crisis.

He noted, ETT will “systemize the conservation and protection of ecotourism destinations.”

The device will also monitor and evaluate resorts and other relevant operators with regard to environmental-friendliness./WDJ