Social media personality Crish Ann Austria, known as Forda Ferson, has addressed online backlash after posting a video warning tourists about potential waterborne illnesses in El Nido.
In her video, Austria advised visitors to avoid drinking local water after experiencing diarrhea during a recent trip.
“Tanong ko lang? May sinabi po ba akong mali dun sa video ko? Katakot! Andami pong nagagalit lalo na yung mga lokal doon sa Palawan. Andaming nagagalit doon sa ginawa kong video,” she said.
Austria emphasized that her intention was not to malign El Nido but to caution travelers about possible health risks.
“Baket naman parang ang sama sama ko? Again yung video po na yun is to share awareness lang po. Hindi para siraan ang El Nido. Hindi po para wag magpapunta ng turista sa El Nido,” she added.
During her five-day stay in El Nido with four companions, all of them experienced gastrointestinal issues, which she attributed to drinking from a local water dispenser.
“Beh, pag pupunta kayo ng El Nido, wag na wag kayong iinom ng tubig doon. O kahit yug mga service water nila or kahit sa hotel at saka yung magmumumog kayo or magtotoothbrush gamit yung tubig doon, wag talaga, wag,” Austria advised in her video posted Saturday.
The video has garnered 284,600 reactions and 1,795 comments, with some netizens sharing similar experiences.
“Yes. This is true. We’ve been there, too. Pero sinabihan kami agad ng mga tour guide sa PPS not to drink water in El Nido. Even pang toothbrush, distilled water ginagamit namin. Kaya tubig palang, laki na ng nagastos. Pero ok lang, better safe than sorry,” Maam Rosette commented on Facebook.
Christian Romer Mateo noted, “Akala ko naman may improvement sa El Nido sa water service nila. 2018 ako bumisita doon pero tubig nila deep well na dilaw ang lumalabas. 5 days din sana ako doon naging 4 days sa sobrang imbeyrna. Di ko magamit sa pampaligo yung tubig at makati sa balat. Pang inom at pangsipilyo ko mineral na kailangan pang bilhin sa convenient store… Ah, El Nido. Wala pa ring development,” on Facebook.
Palawan locals also chimed in, noting their own precautions.
“Palaweña po ako, nakailang balik na ako sa El Nido and maski kami never po umiinom sa service water hehe, mineral or distilled water po talaga dapat inumin nyo. Mahal nga lang ang mineral/purified water don pero no choice kasi di talaga sure yung mga tubig hehe. Anyway, kahit san po dapat tayo punta, mag mineral/purified water po dapat heh.” TikTok user, @Shai Haul, commented on TikTok,
Last year, Palawan News reported high levels of coliform bacteria in Bacuit Bay and other major waterways in El Nido, following complaints from visitors about similar issues
In response, the local government of El Nido, along with provincial and national agencies, has pledged to address the water quality problem.
