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Friday, March 29, 2024

All Boracay problems fixed before Oct. 26 reopening

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Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday assured the public all the environmental problems in Boracay Island will be addressed before its reopening in October.

He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is now preparing the guidelines for the island’s reopening on Oct. 26, exactly six months after its closure on April 26.

He told the House of Representatives’ committee on environment and natural resources that he would ensure that all establishments would no longer be allowed to discharge untreated wastewater into the Boracay waters.

“My priority is to ensure that sewage will not spill over into the beachfront. I will have the sewage line along the beach condemned by September,” he said, referring to the sewer line owned by the Boracay Island Water Co.

The DENR chief has issued a memorandum circular requiring hotels, resorts and similar establishments with 50 rooms and above to set up their own sewage treatment plant.

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Those with 49 rooms and below could have a clustered treatment plant, if not a separate one, Cimatu said.

The compliance of all establishments covered by the circular would “ensure water that is safe for human and environmental health, not only immediately after the island is reopened to the public, but for the longer term,” he added.

The rehabilitation efforts also included addressing garbage problems, road widening, clearing of illegal structures and recovering five missing wetlands.

Cimatu warned establishments found to be non-compliant with environmental laws and regulations would not be allowed to operate when the island reopens on Oct. 26.

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