DENR orders closure of 300 establishments in Boracay

On strict orders of an irate President Duterte to clean Boracay within six months, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu

yesterday ordered the immediate closure of 300 establishments for non-compliance with environmental laws, particularly the absence of a sewage system.

Cimatu said he has already instructed the DENR’s Regional Director in the island to serve the notice of closure to some 300 establishments found to have not connected with the sewage system and with no proper water system.

“I have already ordered the Regional Director to start closing the establishments that are non-compliant… I gave them a mission to go to the resorts and see kung sino ang nakakonekta sa sewage system at kung sino ang hindi naka-comply (which establishments area connected to the sewage system and which ones don’t comply),” said Cimatu. “So effective today, ipapa-close ko yun ngayon (I’m having them closed now).”

Saying that he wants to follow the President’s orders, he has enjoined his regional director to begin the campaign to clean up Boracay.

“So we expect this will continue until we are able to solve the problem in Boracay pati ang waste water and water doon na ginagamit (even the waste water and the potable water being used)… I’m cleaning up the environmental problem of Boracay starting with the sewage system,” he said.

He said the regional office in Boracay has identified at least 300 establishments that are up for closure because they are not connected to the sewage system.

“I have instructed my regional director there na ibigay na ang notice of violation sa mga establishment,” he said.

The 300 establishments comprise 40 percent of the total number of establishments on the island.