‘Require Boracay firms, houses to connect to sewerage system’

MANILA, Philippines — Local officials should implement a local ordinance requiring residents and businesses in Boracay to connect to the sewerage system, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said yesterday.

Cimatu said the Malay municipal council passed an ordinance in 2012 which mandates residents and businesses within 61 meters from sewerage pipes to connect to the system. Those farther from the line should build and maintain sewerage treatment plants and septic tanks.

“Sewage is the number one problem on the island. It requires urgent action... We are giving companies not connected to the sewer lines one month to link up. If they fail...they will face sanctions,” Cimatu said.

The Boracay Island Water Corp., one of the two water concessionaires and operator of the sewerage infrastructure on the island, said 195 of 578 business establishments are not connected to sewer lines. Only five percent of its 4,331 residential customers are connected to the sewers.

Customers of the other water provider, Boracay Tubi System Inc., are not connected to the sewer lines, but the company offers to siphon wastewater into the company’s water treatment plant.

“Companies release huge volume of wastewater…It is important for us to crack down on them,” Cimatu said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued around 200 notices of violation to more than 150 establishments found violating environmental laws. It has also surveyed nearly 600 establishments.

The DENR also sent a team on Mactan island in Cebu and Panglao in Bohol to conduct an inventory and inspection of establishments within foreshore areas.

The team will come up with an updated list of establishments violating environmental laws, operating without tenurial instruments and building structures outside their property.

“We do not want the same situation in Boracay to happen on Panglao and Mactan islands. The task force will be monitoring the establishments’ compliance to environmental laws, rules and regulations,” DENR regional director Gilbert Gonzales said. – With Louise Maureen Simeon