After Boracay DENR, NEDA set to close erring resorts in Bohol

CEBU, Philippines — After the controversy over resorts violating environmental laws in Boracay, the time has come to close resorts, not only in Panglao island but around the entire Bohol, also for violating laws and local regulations, as there had been enough warning to them already.

This came from Director-General Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) after he received of violations of environmental laws, and rules and regulations by resort owners in Panglao with the “permissiveness of local officials."

While the discovery of violations started in Panglao, all resorts in the entire Bohol province are covered by the shutdown order, he said.

Pernia said that—when he comes, together with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and possibly DILG Secretary Eduardo Año—he would meet with local government officials and resort owners, and that compliance must already be in place.

“Kahibaw ka nga ang Presidente karon is serious. Gusto niya action agad. … At saka wa nay kinahanglan kasab-an pa, i-admonish or i-charge nga local official,” Pernia said, who however said there is no definite schedule yet on when they would come to Bohol.

Pernia said that by then he expects the resorts to be ready because the DENR-7 regional director had already ordered the resorts to comply, based on Cimatu’s order also.

He said he had also talked with Governor Edgar Chatto about the issue and that it had been conveyed already that the resorts that failed to comply with regulations would be closed outright upon their inspection.

He added that the requirement for sewerage connection should have been complied by each resort already and there should be no coliform contamination on the seawaters already when they come.

Pernia also pointed out that local officials should also be held accountable by mere existence of violations of the regulations by any resort as it would prove their permissiveness. He said the local officials should not just be suspended, but removed from office for “non-performance of duties, and gross negligence.”

As of now, Pernia admitted though that NEDA and DENR don’t have the complete list of the violators yet, but he accepted the suggestion to start with the list available at the Office of the Building Official in each area. (FREEMAN)