El Nido, Palawan – In support to Cabinet Action File No. 535-09118-15-16-17, DILG MIMAROPA together with DENR, DOT, and DOH conducted ocular inspection in El Nido and Coron to closely monitor the ongoing rehabilitation of the primary tourist destinations in the Region.

In the ocular inspection conducted in the area, line canals and pipes from hotel were found out discharging untreated water directly to the beach. According to Engr. Estorque of DENR, 253 establishments in El Nido and 151 in Coron were issued Notice of Violations while 10 of them were issued cease and desist order for violation of RA 9275 otherwise known as the Clean Water Act of 2000.

“It’s high time that we consider rehabilitation of our primary tourist destinations in the Region. Let us learn our lesson from what has happened in Boracay”, DILG ARD Noel Bartolabac said.

Relative to the inspection, an inter-agency meeting was conducted in El Nido to address similar issues regarding the ongoing rehabilitation of the affected areas.

Mayor Rosento of El Nido gave update on the beach tourism rehabilitation implemented in the LGU. Among those are: implementation of the easement zone, issuance of notices of violation, upgrading of the septage treatment plant, and construction of Sanitary Landfill.

The task force also gained support from Governor Alvarez who committed to exercise the power of the Provincial Government to assist in the implementation of environmental laws to tourist destinations.

The same rehabilitation will also be conducted at San Vicente, Palawan and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro to protect beach tourism sites.

By: Whalee & Mike