DENR serves notices to erring Bicol resort owners

LEGAZPI CITY  , Philippines  — Amid the crackdown on establishments violating environmental laws in Boracay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued notices of violation to more than 100 resort owners in the Bicol region over improper waste disposal.

Some resorts in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Masbate either have no water discharge permit or permit to operate, Eva Ocfemia, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-Bicol technical director, said.

“Our priority areas are resorts… where most local and foreign tourists go,” Ocfemia said.

She said they would meet with owners of erring establishments ahead of a technical conference to be conducted by the EMB for owners and operators of resorts and ecotourism destinations in the region.

Ocfemia said they would issue closure orders if resort owners and operators will not comply with the requirements of the DENR.

 “We did not issue a closure order… because the water quality is still within the required standard. But we demand that there should be immediate action to address violations,” she said.

“We don’t want environmental degradation to occur before we take action,” Ocfemia added.

Alternatives to Boracay

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bicol said it is bracing for a surge in tourist arrivals with the scheduled closure of Boracay for six months.

Benjamin Santiago, DOT-Bicol director, said Catanduanes is “most ready” to receive tourists after having complied with a comprehensive tourism plan and code.

Santiago also recommended the white sand beaches in Caramoan, Camarines Sur; Ticao island in Masbate; Matnog, Sorsogon; West Coast in Albay, as well as Calaguas and Parola islands in Vinzons and and Jose Panganiban towns, respectively, in Camarines Norte.

He said tourists should also try whale shark interaction in Sorsogon and Masbate and all-terrain vehicle tours around Mayon Volcano in Albay.

Santiago said tourist arrivals in Bicol increased by over 20 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.