‘Some Boracay firms still release wastewater into sea’

MANILA, Philippines — Some establishments in Boracay are still discharging untreated wastewater into the sea, according to an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“There are still indicators that they release wastewater even though Boracay has long been closed to tourists,” Eduardo Año, DILG officer-in-charge, told reporters on the sidelines of the Special Action Force Memorial Day commemoration at Camp Bagong Diwa on Friday.

He said divers are scouring the sea to trace where the illegal pipelines are connected.

Año said it is possible these establishments discharge wastewater into the sea at night to avoid being detected.

“They do not want to avail themselves of sewerage system services to save on expenses,” Año said.

He expressed confidence that an interagency committee tasked to rehabilitate Boracay would remove all illegal pipelines before the island is reopened to tourists on Oct. 26.

President Duterte has ordered the closure of Boracay, as he described the waters surrounding the island as a “cesspool.”

Año gave assurance that the DILG would be strict in granting new business and building permits.