DENR: Panglao rehab on track

CEBU, Philippines — Rehabilitation on the shores of Panglao Island in Bohol province is ongoing and is on track, said an official from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said Panglao is among the islands being rehabilitation following the six-month rehabilitation of Boracay Island last year.

"The rehabilitation is ongoing. Our RDs (regional directors) are moving already. But we can't expect the best (like that of Boracay)," he said in an interview in Siargao Island on Friday during the launch of The Juan Effect responsible tourism campaign of Cebu Pacific.

Antiporda reiterated the government’s warning to environmental violators.

"On our next check of the area, if we see something different or violators to our environmental law, we will shut them (violators) down," the official said.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas had urged Panglao resorts to adhere to environmental requirements as the government implements a crackdown on violators.

Resorts were reminded to adhere to easement requirement within the island's shorelines and the compliance of valid wastewater discharge permit.

A December 10, 2018 letter of Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero warned tourism stakeholders that the 20-meter easement law and the additional 10 meters easement ordinance must be followed; and water quality violations must be corrected.

Since April this year, Panglao's local government received a marching order from President Duterte, through Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, to correct environmental violations on the island.

Based on Montero's letter, Cimatu has given the local government six months to demolish or even close tourism establishments that do not adhere to environmental laws.

A task force has been created to implement the extended marching order from the President.

To recall, Boracay Island, one of the country’s prime tourism destinations, had undergone a six-month closure and rehabilitation last year to correct the many environmental violations by tourism businesses there. (FREEMAN)