The marching orders have been given.
And the strict orders from MalacaƱang to clean
the world famous Boracay Island has began. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu six months
to clean Boracay.
The DENR Secretary did not dillydally and had
just orderd the closure of 300 establishments found noncompliant with
environmental laws particularly the absence of a sewage system. *
Boracay's beach last year (photo credit to owner) |
Cimatu
has already instructed his regional director in Boracay to serve the notice of
closure to some 300 establishments found to have not connected with the sewage
system and with no proper water system.
“I
have already ordered the regional director to start closing the establishments
that are noncompliant. Ibig sabihin lahat ng mga establishment na hindi
nag-comply kasi meron kami yung environment office namin na similar we have now
here I gave them a mission to go to the resorts and see kung sino ang
nakakonekta sa sewage system at kung sino ang hindi naka-comply. So effective
today ipapa-close ko yun ngayon,” Cimatu
said in his speech in the launch of the Green Film Festival at Cinema 2 of the
SM North Edsa in Quezon City.
“So
we expect this will continue until we are able to solve the problem in Boracay
pati ang wastewater and water doon na ginagamit. Ayoko na hindi matupad na utos
ni Presidente. Inutos ko na ito sa regional director so expect na umpisa na
itong ating campaign. I’m cleaning the environmental of problem of Boracay
starting with the sewage system,” Cimatu
added.
The
DENR Secreatry said the regional office in Boracay has identified at least 300
establishments up for closure because they are not connected to the sewage
system. *
“I
have instructed my regional director there na ibigay na ang notice of violation
sa mga establishment. Then mag-usap-usap sila kung talagang wala na, isasarado
na yan ngayon din. Kasi meron kami na listahan na hindi nakakonekta (sa sewage
system) at yung tubig nila bumubukas na lang doon eto na ngayon ang uunahin
ko,” he said.
Earlier
President Duterte described the world famous Boracay island as a pit of human
waste, during his speech in Marco Hotel in Davao City last week. He said the perennial
problems in Boracay most specially with
respect to sewage and garbage is destroying the island’s ecosystem and poses a threat
to the health of millions of tourist.
“There will be a time that no more foreigner will go
there because … when he goes back to the plane, he will be full of shit going
back and forth to the restroom,” he said.
Report from Manila Bulletin
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