Published on : Thursday, February 15, 2018
Subsequent to President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction to stern actions against pollution in Boracay, now the government agencies are planning for measures to decrease new building numbers, businesses and visitors on the world-renowned island.
On Wednesday, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said he “favors a moratorium on the construction of new buildings and the opening of new business establishments, especially in the beach area.”
Cimatu released the statement after his department issued notices related to infringement of environmental laws to 51 of some 340 establishments on the island.
Majority of the breaches concerned noncompliance with the Clean Water Act, which authorizes establishments to make proper arrangement of their septic wastes through a treatment facility.
The concentrated effort came days after Mr. Duterte called Boracay a “cesspool” and said that he will close the island in coming six months if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) could not resolve its crisis related to sewage and garbage.
At the same time, Cimatu has cautioned that water services will be stopped for the establishments that do not react to the notice in three to five days. Absolute closure awaits those who fall short to obey the requirements of the Clean Water Act of 2004 in two months, he said.
Cimatu’s spokesperson, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, told the Inquirer that a proposal to limit the number of tourists on the island was also being considered.
Tags: boracay
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