The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and major business groups in Aklan’s Boracay Island have partnered on the immediate construction of sewerage treatment plants in the area.
He said they would oblige resort owners and other establishments to address the water quality problem in the world-famous resort island.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and officials of Boracay Foundation Inc., along with the Boracay Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Filipino-Chinese Chamber Federation Iloilo, following the discovery of old drainage and septic tank, and several pipes discharging wastewater into the beach.
Both the DENR and Boracay businesses have committed to the strict implementation of Malay Municipal Ordinance No. 307 requiring establishments with 50 rooms and above to install their own sewerage treatment plants and allow the discharge of wastewater that pass “Class SB” standard to the existing drainage.
Class SB refers to waters that are fit for ecotourism and recreational activities, including swimming, bathing and diving.
Under the arrangement, establishments with 49 rooms and below may opt to construct cluster sewerage treatment plants with their neighboring establishments.
Boracay Island was ordered closed on April 26 for six months due to environmental woes.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Boracay Island’s reopening would depend on its water quality.
“Unless the water quality improved and compliant to our standard, I will not allow the reopening of Boracay,” he said.
“The construction of sewerage treatment plant is exempted from the construction moratorium effective May 19, 2018, the date when the agreement was signed,” Cimatu said.
He ordered the immediate removal of sewerage pipes found along the island’s white beach.
The wastewater coming from pipes contained high coliform count based on the test.
“These pipelines at the beachfront are non-negotiable. They have to be removed. The water that comes out of these is very smelly; you don’t like the smell of it and very unhealthy,” Cimatu said.