Statement of BIARMG on the presence of Algae in Boracay

This is to clarify some news articles and pictures circulating in various social media platforms maliciously suggesting that the waters of Boracay is unclean and unsafe for swimming.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG) through DENR-EMB Region 6 regularly conducts water quality testing in strategic stations around Boracay Island. According to its official water quality report, the fecal coliform level in the front beach is 8mpn/100ml in January 2022 and 11mpn/100ml in February 2022. The results confirm that Boracay waters in the front beach exceptionally meets the Water Quality Standards for swimming at 100mpn/100ml.

The presence of the algae is simply a natural phenomenon that occurs yearly during the dry season or summer period in different areas of Boracay. This is non-toxic and should not be a cause for concern. In fact, the volume of algae has naturally subsided significantly in the past two weeks.

The BIARMG has also observed the presence of algae in Carabao Island, a remote and commercially undeveloped island near Boracay.

The tourists are assured that Boracay Waters is clean and safe for swimming and that BIARMG is steadfast in its mandate to provide accurate information to the public.

MARTIN JOSE V. DESPI

General Manager, BIARMG