The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has admitted poor water quality in El Nido town during a committee hearing of the Senate on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Senator Erwin Tulfo previously tackled in his TV program that El Nido, one of the country’s premier tourism destinations faced poor water quality and other sanitation related issues. Tulfo is currently the Vice Chairperson ng Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, who recently visited Palawan validating some reports and complaints received by his office.
“Mataas na yong coliform nila doon, and they are afraid na baka ipasara sila just like what happened to Boracay kasi maraming mga tourist ang nagkakasakit. At saka isa pa, wala silang maayos na sewage system,” Sen. Tulfo said.
During the hearing Senator Tulfo asked the DENR officials headed by Secretary Raphael Lotilla about the fate of El Nido town.
“Ano pong plano dito ng DENR? Matutuloy po ba yong [pagpapasa?] Iyon po ang ikinakatakot nila ng local government baka ipasara po sila tulad ng Boracay?” Tulfo said. To recall, in 2018, the national government closed Boracay to tourists for six-months to pave way for rehabilitation.
Lotilla explained that while an STP is already operational in El Nido, many commercial establishment and households are not connected to it.
Senator Tulfo’s team who visited El Nido recently also found out that a deep well/ water source is near the densely populated neighborhood where septic tanks are present.
During the next meeting, the Senate committee wanted to invite the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Unit of El Nido to shed light about the matter.
Jules Gayagas, a resident of El Nido town observed that the STP’s capacity in inadequate and its location is away from the area where the concentration of business establishments are located.
He said that the government may put at least STP, one in the town proper, one in Corong Corong and one in Villa Libertad, that will use gravity and minor pumping from pipes emanating from buildings and households. He also said that the government may also construct deepwell pumping station and river water processing plant.
For Patrick Dulfo, he said that authorities should closed down establishment who refuses to connect with the STP. He likewise proposes penalizing houses and consider closing El Nido to tourism activities.
“Simple lang ang solosyon, ipasara ang mga establishment na ayaw kumunekta sa STP. Multahan ang mga tahanan na tradisyunal pa rin ang septic tank at ayaw kumunekta sa STP. Kung 90% ng mamayan hindi naka konekta, ipatigil at ipasara na ang turismo,” he explained.
Joel Monterde worked in one of the tourism establishment in El Nido shared his thoughts saying that the town’s population has ballooned, including the boatmen who are from outside El Nido but stayed in the tourist boats. He said that authorities should also dealt with unscrupulous individuals.
“Hindi lang stablishment nagmula kaya naging issue ang tubig kundi marami din household .ias pa yong mga boatman hindi taga Elnido dyan nkarira mga banka syempre kapag mag dumi isa rin yan ang dahilan kaya nagkaroon ng coliform ang tubig dhil wala naman cr ang banka.kahit anong effort ng mismo taga elnido kung yong mga dayo walang deciplina walang paki alam sa kalikasan basta sila kapag nag sara lipat lang ng area kung saan nila gusto,” Monterde said.
El Nido is a top tourist destination renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and pristine white-sand beaches, attracting visitors with island-hopping tours. Visitors engage in kayaking, snorkeling, and diving to explore the rich marine life, unique formations and islets found in Bacuit archipelago. The environmental issues such as high fecal coliform level and poor water quality within the town’s bay and surrounding waters has tarnished its popularity.
