Cimatu firm on Boracay sewage treatment policy

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reiterated an order requiring establishments in Boracay to put up sewerage treatment plants (STPs), either individually or in clusters, to ensure that wastewater is properly treated before it flows into the sea.

“The President described Boracay as a ‘cesspool’. By that word alone, he meant that the waters around the island is of very poor quality. And, indeed, it was. The concentration of coliform in the water samples that were put to test in the early part of our rehabilitation efforts were too high—millions of times beyond the standard,” DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

Cimatur said that while he acknowledged the initiative of the local government in coming up with ordinance requiring STPs before, such ordinance had not been faithfully enforced.

“This time, the Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF) will make sure that the STP requirement shall be enforced fully,” Cimatu said, who sits as chair of the BIATF.

He pointed out that the STP is “nonnegotiable.”

“It is one of the primary requirements for the opening of Boracay,” he said.

Commenting on the issues that building STPs is “expensive”, Cimatu said there are government financial institutions that are willing to assist, such as the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

Cimatu also expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation of some establishments that have put up or in the process of putting up their STPs, as well as to those who have come forward to help in the rehabilitation of the various wetlands in Boracay.