Boracay Ranks #6 Globally

This latest recognition is part of a continuing trend of accolades for Boracay since its transformative 6-month rehabilitation in 2018. The closure was initiated by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, who called the island a "cesspool" due to overwhelming environmental issues. Problems included widespread illegal structures, inadequate sewage treatment with many establishments discharging waste directly into the sea, and excessive waste generation far exceeding the local government's capacity. The rehabilitation effort involved a massive cleanup and overhaul of the island's infrastructure. Over 400 hotels and restaurants were temporarily closed for violating environmental laws, and structures built within the 30-meter shoreline easement were demolished. A key focus was upgrading the island's drainage and sewerage systems to prevent future pollution and address the algal blooms that had become a recurring problem. Following the reopening, strict new rules were implemented to manage the influx of visitors and protect the island's fragile ecosystem. A daily tourist arrival limit was set based on a carrying capacity study, which determined the island could sustainably accommodate 19,215 tourists at any given time. This marked a significant shift from the pre-closure period, which often saw the island's population swell far beyond its sustainable limits. The government has since institutionalized these efforts through the Boracay Action Plan, a P25-billion medium-term strategy to ensure the island's long-term environmental and economic sustainability. The plan focuses on four key areas: enforcement of laws, pollution control, ecosystem rehabilitation, and the sustainability of island activities, including improvements to roads and public health infrastructure.