The Philippine government has pledged to enforce a six-month building ban on the resort island of Boracay, famed for its powder white sand and crystal clear waters but now plagued with environmental problems.

The tiny island in the central Philippines draws more than half a million tourists — including thousands of Canadians — each year, or more than one-sixth of last year’s record arrivals in the country. However, the 10.3 square kilometer island has drawn bad publicity in recent years because of sewerage contamination of the sea and the dumping of garbage in an open area near the main beach.

Government Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza last week promised that all construction permits will be withheld until the end of June.

“Rapid growth threatens the viability of Boracay as a tourist destination,” Atienza acknowledged.

Aside from the problems of the lack of clean drinking water, overcrowding and waste disposal, flooding problems now also worry Boracay.

Atienza said uncontrolled development is to blame.“Even the forests in Boracay have been depleted and several residential and tourism facilities have been constructed on mountain slopes. These activities will eventually compromise public safety,” Atienza said.

In the coming months, the environment department will consult with experts and Boracay stakeholders to craft a master environmental plan that will guide future building activity, he said.