DOT warns anew erring resorts, restos in Panglao

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has again warned erring resorts and restaurant operators in the island of Panglao in Bohol to hasten the implementation of environmental compliance.

Panglao is one of the hottest tourism destinations being closely monitored by the DOT right now as Boracay is due for re-opening next week, said tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Puyat directed DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano to keep an eye at Panglao, so that the island will be spared from following the footsteps of Boracay, emphasizing that the government is extra serious on implementing sustainable tourism.

According to Puyat, her office already wrote warning letters to several tourist destinations in the country such as La Union, El Nido and Coron in Palawan, and Panglao, to work on their environmental compliance as mandated by law.

Like Tamano, Puyat also issued a directive to tourism regional directors of these destinations to constantly inspect and work with local government unit (LGU) officials for strict compliance of the laws.

Regional directors are also required to submit regular report on the compliance development of these destinations.

Puyat reminded that LGUs who will disregard the warnings and not act on it will be reported to the office of the President.

“We will be making Boracay as a model for sustainable tourism and that tourism establishments should be 100 percent compliant to environmental laws,” Puyat said.

Last month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced that at least 400 business establishments on Panglao Island in Bohol province have violated environmental laws.

These establishments are required to install proper sewage and wastewater treatment facilities.