Boracay task force readying guidelines for re-opening

MANILA, Philippines — The inter-agency task force overseeing the rehabilitation of Boracay Island is now preparing the guidelines for the reopening of world-renowned tourist destination on Oct. 26, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

He said that by then, all the major environmental problems like water pollution and garbage disposal would already have been addressed.

At the recent hearing of the House committee on natural resources, Cimatu told lawmakers that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as well as other government agencies involved in the rehabilitation efforts would make sure that all business establishments in the island will no longer be allowed to discharge untreated wastewater into the sea.

“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 that Boracay Island Water Company owns.

In the recently issued Memorandum Circular 2018-16, the DENR required hotels, resorts and similar establishments with 50 or more rooms to set up its own sewage treatment plant (STP) and those which have 49 rooms or less to go for a clustered or a separate STP.

Cimatu noted that STPs would ensure that wastewater discharges from commercial establishments would pass the “Class SB” standard, which refers to water fit for ecotourism or recreational activities, including swimming, bathing and diving.

Compliance with the circular, he added, will “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.”

Establishments found to be non-compliant with environmental laws and regulations will not be allowed to operate when the island reopens, he stressed.

Aside from fixing Boracay’s sewage and drainage systems, the DENR chief pointed out that rehabilitation efforts focused also on garbage problems, road widening, clearing of illegal structures and recovering five missing wetlands.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda disclosed that Sen. Cynthia Villar has committed to donate shredders and molders for recyclable waste and composters for biodegradables to help solve Boracay’s solid waste problem.

The aim, he said, was to transport only residual waste – about 25 to 30 percent of the total waste generated – to the sanitary landfill in mainland Malay, Aklan.

Last April 26, President Duterte issued Proclamation 475 placing Barangays Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak – all in Boracay – as being under a state of calamity, aside from declaring the closure of the entire island to tourists for six months to “ensure the sustainability of the area and prevent further degradation of its rich ecosystem.”