Destroying Boracay

Ric Maulion

WHEN was your last visit of Boracay? Given its alluring charm, this paradise should be included in your Bucket List. Not going there even once in a lifetime could be a mistake you should not afford to commit. Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan. You should because Cebu Pacific opened in November its direct Cagayan de Oro-Caticlan flight and back, MWF. In roughly two hours, you could already be there and you could even be back to CDO the same day.

Its sugary white fine sand from Station One stretching all over the beach is simply amazing. Indeed, its beautiful seascape is an excellent getaway giving you chance to reenergize your tired body. That her beauty is enchanting where tourists from all over come and go is a testament to the magic this island weaves and brings. Even by just staying there overnight, not necessarily frolicking in the foam of the sea, could already be enough. Turned party venue at night, you would have another extension of the magical moment what with its delicious treats offered from smorgasbord to eat-all-you can, drinks to concert, spas to night market selling all those attractive souvenir items and all that. Never mind how prohibitive prices are as long as you can make it through the night. At least, you now have bragging rights that you’d been there.

You can spend your vacation any months of the year preferably summer as it is normally low tide, the sea and its great expanse inviting you for a swim. Unfortunately, there’s a sea of humanity vacationing here. Ergo, just brace yourself and get ready to secure your space by elbowing against many other visitors crazy dipping themselves to this famous Boracay sea. You may opt for the middle of the year because it won’t be a crowded time of the year.

For the repeaters, you may go there touring around the beach and enjoy the night life. But beware. Be sure you don’t get smitten by the charm of the sea. I validated an article about how Boracay’s seawaters have been turned into a huge septic tank that poses severe threats to its people and tourists.

November and December are normally rainy season in Boracay. Twice in a row, rain greeted my arrival. The first one came early dawn and the second, by midday. If rain is considered a sign of blessing, then this could be it. But it was a proverbial confirmation that Boracay is one of the world’s best beach resorts that has become a huge septic tank waiting to explode because of overpopulation. That district in China where an explosion was traced to a septic tank should serve as a warning. Boracay might follow suit.

Actually, it was just light rain, splattering against the rooftop at first. Going down however from terminal, I noticed the gradual overflowing of water to the thoroughfares.

In the lower areas of Boracay, floodwaters rose knee-deep, forcing motorists to accelerate for fear of being trapped in traffic. The road network was simply poor — just two lanes with an elevated drainage system. I wonder why despite the vertical constructions sprouting like mushrooms everywhere, they’re unable to fix their drainage problem and adapt to the ongoing development of the area. It’s a sad reality but the gaping hole emitting hellish foul odor when drainage overflows says it all. The drainage problem of Boracay is serious. Left unattended, it could  blow right before peoples’ faces!

In Cagayan de Oro, Ayala has done just that by fixing first the drainage in the area it developed in order to absorb volumes of floodwater during heavy downpours. But the construction development at Boracay diametrically opposes standard operating procedures. If and when it explodes, it is hoped it would spare the beauty that is Boracay that is being contaminated by people from all over.