ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY Roy A. Cimatu reported that the coliform level in Boracay is now at 18.1 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliter (ml), significantly down from the “thousands or even millions” level prior to the closing of the island in April. “As you may have observed, there has been not only a visible improvement in water quality. Tests done by the EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) revealed that the coliform level is now down to 18.1 MPN per 100 ml,” Mr. Cimatu said in a statement on Tuesday. Coliform is a class of bacteria found in the environment, including human and animal feces. The standard coliform level is 100 MPN/100 ml. The government started a dry run on the island on Oct. 15, 11 days before Boracay officially reopens on Oct. 26. “The point of the dry-run is to ensure that everything will run smoothly during the soft opening on Oct. 26, We will only see the effects and results of all these interventions on the third day after tourist arrivals,” Mr. Cimatu said. He added that only 6,405 tourists per day will be allowed and a total of 1,000 rooms from accredited hotels will be available for booking during the dry-run. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

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