DENR probes 100 Boracay firms for sewer tapping
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is investigating at least 100 companies including hotels and resorts in Boracay for illegally connecting into the drainage pipe of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
The Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR is leading the probe that aims to identify erring firms.
“We found out that these companies don’t maintain their own sewage treatment facilities and illegally connect to the drainage pipe of the MWSS. This causes overflow of untreated wastewater,” DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said over the weekend.
The drainage pipe can accomodate rainwater only, he said.
The DENR targets to finish the probe in two months. It has investigated at least 30 companies.
“We will validate the cases and observe due process by first calling for a technical conference that will involve these firms. They will be given a chance to address the violation,” Leones said.
“If they fail to do so, the cases will be elevated to the Pollution Adjudication Board, which will possibly issue a cease and desist order against them,” he added.
Earlier, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo visited Boracay following reports that the balance between environmental conservation and tourism development on the island is deteriorating.
Authorities blamed the deterioration of the island’s condition on the lack of proper sewerage system and the number of business establishments that dispose of their waste to the sea.