DILG to probe blocking of beach cleanup drive

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will investigate reports that some local officials are blocking efforts of the national government to clean up top beach destinations of the country.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday gave the order in response to the revelation of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat that some officials are exerting efforts to prevent the rehabilitation of their respective beaches.

“Secretary Año has given instructions to our field offices to immediately investigate such reports from the DOT (Department of Tourism) and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.

The DILG will not hesitate to file cases against officials who are stifling the government’s campaign.

“We will not hesitate to exercise our power of general supervision over LGUs (local government units) should they be found to be blocking or opposing the directives of the President to clean up and rehabilitate our top tourist spots,” Malaya said.

The DILG supports Puyat’s recommendation to take over tourism sites, similar to what was done in Boracay, that have not complied with environmental and other laws.

Año agreed with the tourism chief’s assessment in the case of El Nido in Palawan, where some beaches and resorts could face closure if they could not comply with government regulations by the end of the six-month deadline on May 30.

“We have given them enough time to comply. We explained to them why and how they can comply with regulations. So far, they have failed to do so. They still have a whole month to shape up, after that they will face closure,” he said.

Año lamented that compliance with laws in El Nido has been uneven, with some resorts fully compliant while others are either half-compliant or have zero compliance.

“The LGU has to impose the regulations and revoke the permits of non-compliant establishments, otherwise the national government will take over,” he stressed.

He added that an interagency management team would be created if it would come to a point where the national government has to take over.

“We already have existing protocols and best practices in place. All we need to do is determine if this action needs to be done,” Año also said.