NEWSFLASH

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BORACAY SAND WORMS HARMLESS

Boracay Island, Oct. 14, 1997 - The Department of Tourism has assured tourists and residents that the tiny worms reported on the beaches of this island resort are a natural part of the ecosystem.

Abraham Dingle, DOT information director, told the visiting Clark Field Association of Journalists that the sand worms are not harmful to humans and do not indicate pollution in any form.

"The worms are part of the island's complex eco-system and play a significant role in the aquatic food chain," Dingle explained.

On the coliform issue, 15 stations have been established around Boracay island to monitor faecal coliform which have been blamed for the 60% decline in tourist arrivals. According to the "Boracay Bulletin" published by the DOT and the Canadian Urban Institute, the island's coastal waters undergo three testings a month to monitor quality.

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