Coastal resource protection

Environment authorities have started training their sights on beach resorts across Cebu and Central Visayas following President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to shut down Boracay, saying the famous island has become a “cesspool.”

However, Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu said its members are compliant with all the regulations. HRRAC president Carlo Suarez said they not only followed what is required but have also taken steps to protect the environment.

The Department of Tourism also supported HRRAC’s statement, believing that Cebu resorts have been complying with environmental policies. In fact, the department said these resorts have vowed to take some initiatives to protect coastal resources.

“With this, we have reason to believe that our resorts in Cebu are faring well, and we would like to keep it that way by enjoining the rest of the stakeholders to be compliant and to continue to be vigilant and take care of our marine environment -the bread-and-butter of the tourism industry in Cebu and in Central Visayas,” DOT Director Shalimar Tamano was quoted as saying.

Of course, HRRAC is expected to abide by environmental rules. Its members are composed of famous and big establishments that it’s easy for authorities to prosecute if they violate government regulations.

Besides, the association is expected to police its own ranks because, as a whole organization, it just cannot afford taking the punishment itself from authorities for violations caused by its erring members.

But while we expect big resorts to be compliant with environmental regulations, we do not know if those small resorts in Cebu that do not belong to any association have also done their part by abiding with coastal protection rules.

Hundreds of small resorts have dotted the coastal areas across the province and whether they have been subject to regular inspection by authorities is beyond our knowledge. But if the government really means business in its coastal protection effort, all it needs is a massive campaign that takes on every tourism establishment.