TO prevent a similar dilemma now confronting the world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has formed an investigation team to address the environmental issues in another top tourist destination, Panglao Island in Bohol.
Secretary Roy Cimatu said team would determine the compliance of Panglao’s resorts and commercial establishments in accordance with the Clean Water Act and Solid Waste Management Act.
He urged the local government of Central Visayas to make the discharge permit a requirement for the issuance of a business permit.
“We have learned our lessons in the problems concerning Boracay. We have to strictly enforce environmental laws in order to protect the country’s tourism sites so that the future generations will be able to enjoy them as well,” he said.
The department’s technical personnel from the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 7 and provincial environment and natural resources office in Bohol comprised the Panglao investigation team.
Cimatu asked the investigation team to find the establishments in Panglao that are not complying with the Clean Water Act and the Solid Waste Management Act, and businesses that are encroaching on the timberland areas that are no-build zones.
“We will comb through all the establishments in Panglao and impose a crackdown on environmental violators. What happened to Boracay is a wake-up call to others,” he said. Rio N. Araja
According to DENR’s Region 7 director Gilbert Gonzales, the team has been tasked to check the sewage and wastewater facilities, including the garbage disposal systems of each establishment operating within the island especially those along the coastal areas.
“Also, we have to look into the land classification of these areas to make sure that public owned or forestlands are not occupied by illegal settlers or illegal structures built and operated by local or foreign business owners,” Gonzales said.
“Once the list of erring establishments is formed, we will issue notices of violation to owners and operators of these businesses. Cease-and-desist orders will be given to enterprises whose owners fail to take appropriate action,” he added.