BORACAY – Cleanup activities in this popular beach destination will continue even this Holy Week, said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu.
Cimatu stressed that the cleanup must be fast-tracked in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to address the environmental problems in the island within six months.
Duterte announced such order on Feb. 9 when he called Boracay a “cesspool.”
“We have five months to go. We have to fast-track already,” said the DENR head, adding that the agency’s priority is to solve the island’s drainage and sewerage problems.
The crackdown on establishments and residents violating zoning and sanitary codes will also go on.
As of March 23, the DENR has already issued 74 notices to establishments encroaching forestlands and wetlands in the island.
Cimatu also noted the actions that local stakeholders have undertaken, like the voluntary demolition of illegal structures in Boracay.
He stressed that there is still no final decision on the proposed six-month closure of the island.
“We are still waiting for it,” said Cimatu, awaiting the decision from the President’s Office.
The inter-agency group composed of the DENR, the Department of Tourism and the Departments of Interior and Local Government earlier recommended a yearlong shutdown of Boracay.
But it took back its recommendation through a March 22 letter that suggested a six-month island closure starting April 26 due to “recent developments.” (With PNA/PN)