The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau has issued an interim cease-and-desist order to Boracay Tubi Systems Inc. for discharging wastewater that tested positive for fecal coliform into the waters of Boracay Island in Aklan.
The wastewater discharge was traced from BTSI’s one-kilometer outfall pipe from Lugutan area in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc in the island to the Sibuyan Sea. Sinkers were placed on the outfall pipe to secure it and prevent it from floating.
“I have made it clear from Day 1 that no one is above the law,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
“All environmental laws have to be strictly enforced because their primary purpose is to protect our environment and natural resources. We will appropriately deal with the people responsible for this violation,” he said.
The DENR chief is the chairperson of the Boracay inter-agency task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Order 53 to reverse the degradation of the world-famous island resort.
BTSI is one of the two water utility companies in Boracay Island.
Laboratory test results revealed that fecal coliform and phosphate from the water sample and residue taken exceeded the allowable limit for effluent standards for marine water.
The sample had a fecal coliform of 3,500 most probable number per 100 ml against an effluent standard of 400 MPN/100 ml.
Meanwhile, phosphate was at 2.250 milligrams per liter versus the standard 1 mg P/L level.