By Paulo Loreto Lim

Two locales in Negros were recently included on a list of beach destinations compiled by Philippine Airlines.

With the ongoing closure of resort island Boracay, the country’s flagship carrier provided a list of alternatives to “satisfy your sand-and-sea craving.” Among the destinations were Lakawon, located in Cadiz City in Negros Occidental; along with Apo Island, located in Dauin in Negros Oriental.

They took note of Lakawon’sTawHai Floating Bar, considered the “biggest floating bar in Asia.”

Earlier this year, Lakawon Water Weekend took place on the island. Described as “non-stop fun and partying,” the event featured DJs Michelle Murphy, Miguel Rojas, Hannah Ichiko, and Ian Caram.

For Apo Island, the list highlighted diving opportunities and a chance to see pawikans, a type of sea turtle, up close and personal.

They noted, however, “Don’t touch or feed them, they easily get stressed!”

Other nearby destinations on the list included Anda Beach in Bohol and Moalboal in Cebu.

Boracay was shut down towards the end of April in an effort to clean up the major tourist destination after severe environmental problems were observed.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier referred to the locale as a “cesspool” and ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to get a handle of the problem within six months./PLL, WDJ