DENR orders construction of new sewerage treatment plants in Boracay

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and major business establishments in Boracay have agreed to immediately construct sewerage treatment plants (STPs) to address the illegal discharge of wastewater into the white beach.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and officials of Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) and Boracay Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) and the Filipino-Chinese Chamber Federation Iloilo Chapter reached an agreement on Saturday, following the discovery of old drainage and septic tanks, and several pipes discharging wastewater into the beach.

Business owners have also committed to strictly comply with the Malay municipal ordinance that requires establishments with 50 rooms and above to install their own STPs and allow the discharge of wastewater that pass “Class SB” standard to the existing drainage.

Class SB refers to waters that are fit for ecotourism and recreational activities, including swimming, bathing and diving.

Under the agreement, establishments with 49 rooms and below may opt to construct cluster STPs with their neighboring establishments.

The construction of STPs by resort owners and other Boracay establishments is just one of many solutions being considered for Boracay, which has been ordered closed to tourists for six months starting last April 26.

While the reopening of the island to tourism activities is scheduled by October, Cimatu reiterated that Boracay’s reopening would depend on its water quality.

“Unless the water quality improves and is compliant to our standard, I will not allow the reopening of Boracay,” Cimatu said.

The DENR chief clarified that the construction of STPs is exempted from the six-month moratorium on building constructions earlier imposed by the DENR in Boracay.

“The construction of STP is exempted from the construction moratorium effective May 19, 2018, the date when the agreement was signed,” Cimatu said.

Meanwhile, Cimatu ordered the immediate removal of sewerage pipes discovered along Boracay’s white beach. The wastewater coming from pipes contains high coliform count based on the test conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau.

“These pipelines at the beachfront are non-negotiable. They have to be removed. The water that comes out of these is very smelly; you don’t like the smell of it and it is very unhealthy,” Cimatu said.