‘Address Boracay garbage problem’

MANILA, Philippines -  The mayor of a town in Aklan has been told to address the garbage problem on Boracay island or face charges.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu said Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling could be charged with violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The law mandates local government units to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program.

Cimatu said the garbage situation on Boracay is becoming a major health and environmental concern.

”The challenge becomes more daunting with the increasing number of tourists,” he said.

Cawaling had committed to ”haul and clear” the garbage dumped at a materials recovery facility (MRF)  in Barangay Manoc-Manoc by July 17.

Cimatu said the MRF should be properly operated to manage the volume of waste on the island. He cited initial findings that the facility had become an open dump of mixed waste in violation of RA 9003.