Cimatu pushes Puerto Galera rehab

MANILA, Philippines — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the creation of an office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Puerto Galera to ensure the implementation of a rehabilitation plan for the tourist destination.

Cimatu instructed DENR-Mimaropa executive director Henry Adornado to facilitate the transfer of the regional office from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro.

The DENR chief said he wants to replicate in Puerto Galera what was done in Boracay and Manila Bay.

“It will never be easy. But I can see the strengthened collaboration between the DENR regional task force and the local government in saving Puerto Galera,” Cimatu said.

Task Force Puerto Galera was created in February last year  to spearhead the cleanup of the island and ensure strict implementation of environmental laws.

During his recent visit to Oriental Mindoro, Cimatu checked the construction of a P100-million sewerage treatment plant in Barangay Sabang. The STP, which can treat up to 1,750 cubic meters of wastewater per day, is at the commissioning stage.

Cimatu also visited another prospective STP site in Barangay San Isidro.

The quality of water in Sabang Bay was found to have high levels of coliform. It was blamed on the growing number of commercial establishments along the island’s easement zone as well as inadequate wastewater treatment facilities.