Authorities to Panglao LGU: “Clean up Virgin Island”

CEBU, Philippines — Garbage now litter the once a tranquil Virgin Island in Panglao, Bohol prompting provincial authorities to call on the municipal government “to stop playing blind on its blatant degradation.”

A team sent by Gov. Edgar Chatto found this mess during the site inspection on the existing seafood market at Virgin Island in Panglao on April 14.

The inspection team consisted of Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) acting head Jovencia Ganub, MariaVilla Pelindingue of the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Unit, Melanie del Valle of the Ecological Solid Waste Mangement (ESWM) Unit from the provincial government; ESWM focal person Manuel Fudolin, CRM Office staff, Bantay Dagat staff from Panglao; and PROCESS Foundation executive director Emilia Roslinda.

The team in turn presented its findings and recommendations during the board meeting of the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC) on April 26 at the People's Mansion of the governor in Tagbilaran City.

The team said: “There were 11 food stalls installed with tables and chairs and portable stoves, while some used firewood, where they cooked food ordered by the guests. Seafood served include fish (tuna, grouper, emperor fish); fresh shells, abalone, spider shells (known as saang), squid, sea cucumber; and sea urchin, among others.

Some vendors were also selling banana cue, fresh fruits, boiled eggs, soft drinks, water, and other beverages, the team said. It also found poor garbage disposal practices as evidenced by the litters of garbage scattered on the sand. “Garbage were placed on sacks and allegedly brought to the mainland for disposal.  No segregation of waste is being practiced. Some vendors even throw the garbage on the sand.”

The team also “learned that the vendors were issued vendor’s permit by LGU Panglao and found out that not all of them do not have a permit, while others failed to renew their permits.”

The report added: “One of the vendors said that they have been in the area 10 years ago in the Isola de Francisco but when the claimant started developing his ‘titled’ island, they were ordered to vacate the area and decided to transfer in the sand bar.”

The team then recommended that after all permits would expire, the LGU should demolish all structures made of light materials in the Island. “The island should be free from any commercial activity, consistent with Presidential proclamation 1801 declaring Panglao Island as Tourist Zone. Virgin Island must be for recreational activities like swimming and snorkeling only.”

In its report to PITEC, the team also recommended that the Panglao LGU should to stop issuing new vendors permit and stop renewal of the same.

The team also recommended that the Panglao municipal government should order its Bantay Dagat team to monitor the area, strictly implement proper garbage segregation and disposal, and review the CRM Plan and Zoning Ordinance on the designation and utilization of the area. (FREEMAN)