Closure threat should be a wakeup call – PENRO

A wakeup call for Cebu – this is how the provincial government views the threat of the president to close down island destinations that do not comply with environmental regulations.

“Dili nako i-anticipate na masira (some tourist destinations in Cebu) but we are hoping nga maingon ana. Kanang isyu sa Boracay, dugay na na. Karon lang naaksyonan sa respective agencies,” said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) officer-in-charge Jayson Lozano.

He added that his office has been closely monitoring the tourist spots in Cebu especially those in Bantayan Island after President Rodrigo Duterte complained about the sewage system of the beach resorts in Boracay. Duterte said he was alarmed by the rising coliform which pollutes the waters of Boracay.

Heeding the president's announcements, Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said last Tuesday that he eyes to clean up Panglao next after Boracay where 51 establishments have been ordered to be closed after noted violations on wastewater management and land regulations.

If Cebu is next to be inspected after Bohol, Lozano said he has high hopes for Cebu because the local government units have been strengthening their efforts to come up with their solid waste management plans.

This year, at least ten towns have been inspected by PENRO; Asturias, Balamban, Bantayan, Boljoon, Carcar, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Liloan, Oslob, Sta. Fe, and Tuburan. More towns have requested the office's experts to visit and help monitor their environmental protection efforts.

Lozano added enforcement is actually the responsibility of the LGUs while PENRO's role is more on monitoring and giving technical assistance to them.

PENRO executive assistant Thebazile Monserate said that their office can visually monitor the areas but they lack the necessary equipment to test if a body of water is high in coliform or other pollutants.

In response, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said she will consult with the governor so the Provincial Board can pass a local legislation which will allocate funds to purchase the needed equipment.

“We will appropriate og mao lang na ilang problem because we should monitor our water quality,” she said.

Today, the mayors of the 51 LGUs are meeting to discuss different solid waste management plans per city, town, or cluster according to Lozano.