BORACAY ISLAND - Officials of 3 barangays here may be suspended or removed from their posts if an investigation proves that they allowed businesses to operate without sewage systems, an official aid Wednesday.

The island will be shut for 6 months starting on Thursday to give way to a massive cleanup.

"Kailangan sa barangay clearance pa lang, alam niyo na kung may sewage system ang inyong mga bibigyan ng barangay permit. Dito nagkulang ang Boracay," Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño told local government and military officials here.

(At the barangay clearance level, they should know if the one getting the permit has a sewage system. This is where Boracay was lacking.)

Diño said he would hold a dialogue with barangay leaders from Manoc-manoc, Balabag, and Yapak to discuss the issuance of barangay permits, alleged irregularities in the issuance of barangay IDs for locals, and other issues that may arise during the closure.

Under the local government code, appointed barangay officials may be terminated while elected officials may be charged before the municipal or city council.