The six-month closure of Boracay gave the island paradise a much-needed break, and it seems like another tourist destination is next on the government's list of closures. The three barangays in Bacuit Bay and one in Corong-Corong—both in El Nido, Palawan—are being recommended for a three-month long closure by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
It was found that the water quality in the two areas had fallen below the proper measurement safe for swimming, according to research done by the Beach Tourism Monitoring Team of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). "Bacuit Bay and Corong-Corong Outfall are in dreadful condition with one outfall's fecal coliform level reaching more than 3.4M MPN (most probable number)/100 ML," said a letter by the team to DILG, in a report by CNN Philippines.
"This is compounded by the presence of informal settler families, non-enforcement of easement regulations on outfalls, and unregulated dry-docking and mooring activities," added the team's letter.
Bacuit Bay is home to many of El Nido's most popular destinations: Miniloc Island, where Small and Big Lagoon are tucked away; Tapiutan Island, where you can find white-sand Binangculan Bay, a usual stop for picnic lunches; Pinagbuyatan Island, where you can climb up some of El Nido's characteristic limestone cliffs; and the amazing Tapiutan Straight, the passage between Miniloc and Tapiutan Island. Corong-Corong beach is a quiet stretch of white sand hidden away about 10 minutes from the town proper.
