Philippine island restricted

This item appears on page 4 of the June 2018 issue.

The government of the Philippines closed off the west-central island of Borocay to tourists for six months, starting April 26, in order to upgrade infrastructure and clean up environmental damage caused by a sewage leak. According to the government, less than half of the island’s structures are connected to sewage-treatment facilities.

The island is a popular destination and attracted more than two million visitors in 2017.