Another tourist who visited El Nido has issued a warning regarding water problems in the town after getting sick when they returned home.
Mara Banson, whose family and friends toured El Nido last July 6-10, took to social media to voice her concern.
“We were in El Nido from July 6-10. Our group was large and diverse, with people from Makati, QC, Singapore, and Norway. We stayed at Maremegmeg,” Banson told Palawan News via messenger.
“My heart is breaking to write this, but I feel it’s my responsibility to warn everyone about the serious water problem in El Nido, Palawan, before you plan your trip,” she said in her Facebook post.
She said out of 25 family members who joined the trip, “a staggering 16 of us got terribly sick! Our children suffered from vomiting, and adults experienced severe watery stools.”
She stated that while they were diligent and careful during their stay, drinking only bottled water and never using sink water to brush their teeth, they may have gotten infected when they went swimming “or perhaps from what was used to wash utensils and plates where we ate.”
She also said that when they started getting sick, she researched and told friends about the issue and “was horrified to find countless Reddit forums and articles detailing similar experiences of people being hospitalized after visiting El Nido due to severe infections from dirty water.”
“Oh, I knew that. I should have warned you to be extra careful,” she quoted a statement from a friend.
She also wondered what actions the local government has taken to address the problem.
“Why hasn’t the local government done something significant to fix this ongoing crisis, with articles dating back to 2018?” she asked.
“It’s unacceptable to simply put up signs in rooms saying ‘Tap water is not safe for drinking or toothbrushing.’ Even when followed, these warnings are clearly not enough, as water is everywhere, and people are still getting sick!” she added.
Banson further stated that not properly addressing the main cause of the problem will worsen the situation.
“This cannot continue. We need action. The government needs to invest in proper sewage treatment, water filtration systems, and strict health and sanitation regulations for all establishments,” she elaborated.
“The long-term beauty and sustainability of El Nido depend on it,” she said.
She further stated that while she believes that El Nido is one of the most beautiful destinations, it is also “simply not worth risking your health” by going to the town.
