Ms. PH Earth 2018 bets support Boracay closure

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- A number of Ms. Philippines Earth 2018 candidates favor closing down Boracay island to visitors so the popular tourist destination could be rehabilitated.

Zahra Bianca Saldua, Ms. Philippines Earth 2018 candidate representing Las Piñas City, maintained that the environment must come first before tourism.

“Without environmental responsibility, tourism will be impossible,” Saldua said during a press conference with her co-candidates at a mall here Thursday evening. The 14 pageant candidates are here for a three-day visit to Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro on April 25-27.

Ronelie Pador of Kalibo, Aklan said she supports the move of President Rodrigo Duterte as government leaders "must not just look at the business side of Boracay but also its environmental aspect."

Annalea Rabe of Santa Cruz, Marinduque said that it would be better to promote eco-tourism in areas with tourism potentials.

Malinao, Albay representative Marjorie Vista’s concern is on the unabated use and spread of plastic materials that end up in the ocean.

“If we don’t do something about plastic (wastes)], soon there will be more plastics than there are fish in the ocean,” Vista noted.

Weam Ahmed, who represents Davao City, said one way to save the environment is to teach the children.

“Kids can adapt to habits easily. We should teach them at a very young age how to be environment-friendly,” Ahmed said.

Representing Misamis Oriental was Berjayneth Chee, from the town of Balingasag, who won the province’s Ms. Kuyamis 2017.

Accompanying the candidates were Ms. Philippine Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco and Ms. Philippines Fire 2017 Nellza Bautista, also a Misamisnon from the municipality of Villanueva.

For his part, Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said the candidates' visit to Misamis Oriental was a boost to the province tourism promotion.

Emano said Misamis Oriental has so much more to offer to local and foreign guests, as it boasts of tourism destinations, such as beaches, waterfalls, spring resorts, and other interesting sites.

Citing serious environmental and health concerns, President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay to tourists starting April 26. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)