Philippines’ Duterte Set to Force Boracay Island to Close, Clean Up
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President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to shut Boracay island in order to clean it up could deal a blow to the nation’s plan to attract 7.4 million tourists this year.
Uncontrolled construction of too many establishments so close to the shoreline and the lack of sewerage systems have created environmental problems for the central Philippine destination famous for its powdery white-sand beaches. In February, Duterte slammed Boracay as a “cesspool,” prompting state agencies to quickly assess how to resolve the issue.