Palace: Panglao’s prospects good, unlike Boracay’s

There is still hope for Bohol’s Panglao Island because it has a waste water treatment facility that can service the area, according to Malacañang.

The Palace issued the statement on Monday following reports that Panglao might suffer the same fate as Boracay after the environment department discovered a cesspool off the island, as well as off Mactan island in Cebu.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the wastewater treatment facility covering Panglao could be found under the new airport.

Roque said this meant Panglao would not be the next Boracay, which is set to be shut down on April 26 for cleanup and rehabilitation after authorities found that it did not have an adequate sewage treatment system.

“This would not be a problem in Panglao as soon as [the facility] is operational. But it’s already in place; it’s right under the new international airport of Panglao. So, I think, the prospects for Panglao are rather good,” Roque said in a briefing.

Media restrictions

Meanwhile, restrictions have been imposed on journalists covering the closure and rehabilitation of Boracay, raising questions and concerns from among those who have had access to the island for years.

The Department of Tourism had earlier announced that journalists reporting on the island’s six-month closure should apply for accreditation so they would be issued special passes.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre said journalists on assignment would be allowed to stay on the island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only. —Reports from Leila B. Salaverria and Nestor B. Burgos Jr.