Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Thursday warned around 100 commercial establishments in Boracay against improper waste management resulting in high levels of coliform bacteria.

"Government has to step in before it is too late...If people will not stop, nature will not be forgiving if we abuse our environment," she said.

Boracay, famed for its kilometers-long stretch of white sand, has been among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world.

The Tourism chief and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu visited Boracay and held a dialogue with local government officials and business stakeholders amid alarming environmental concerns.

Coliform bacteria are usually found in human and animal wastes or from decaying organisms.

Erring establishments, Teo said, were already notified to comply with environmental rules and laws.

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The Department of Tourism will also lead a multi-agency task group to promote sustainability of the world-famous island.

"We are appealing to all businessmen, residents, and visitors to help in this campaign to save Boracay. People created this problem and so let us all unite to clean our environment," Teo said.

A massive information drive will be conducted to address the problems.

"We need to explain to all the negative effect of environment destruction for them to initiate volunteerism and preserve the nature's beauty of Boracay," said Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre. - report from Raoul Esperas