Tourism advocate wants massive cleanups in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu should double-time in preserving its natural resources, especially the beaches, if it were to make tourism its main economic driver.

Tourism advocate Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of Network of Independent Travel Agencies (NITAS), made this call as he announced plans to initiate a move replicating in Cebu City the Manila Bay cleanup.

Joseph, who is also a commodore of the Manila Yacht Club and consul, is one of the lead supporters of the Manila Bay cleanup campaign. He said Cebu needs to be aggressive on saving and preserving its natural resources, starting with its beaches, otherwise it will miss its high tourism potentials.

As part of his initiatives, Joseph already tapped the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu to start off a similar cleanup campaign in Cebu.

Joseph mentioned the recent controversial hospital wastes found in some parts of Mactan Island as a wake-up call for Cebu to get serious in taking care of its tourism grown glory--its beaches.

“We need to replicate the same efforts in Cebu because this island is one of the country’s big tourism drawers,” stressed Joseph, adding that the cleanup is just part of a bigger and more long-term plan to encourage all establishments to set up their own sewage treatment facilities in Cebu.

“I am urging my fellow Rotarians to call on our officials in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to get samples of water in all outflows of Cebu City and check the presence of fecal coliform bacteria,” Joseph said.

Fecal coliform bacteria presence in aquatic environments indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material from men or other animals.

This is a serious problem that Cebu should prioritize on because it endangers its appeal to the tourists if not addressed, said Joseph. — JMD