Cimatu: Boracay establishments with illegal sewer connections face closure

As the six-month closure of Boracay island for rehabilitation begins on Thursday, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu warned establishments that illegally connect their sewage lines to the island’s rainwater drainage system that goes directly to the sea that they will be shutdown.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cabinet official was irked by the continued failure of some establishments to connect to the sewer lines of water concessionaires Boracay Island Water Company and Boracay Tubi Systems Inc., despite being told to do so when they were issued notices of violation by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in February.

The DENR said Cimatu has gone over two documents containing the list of locations where the illegally connected sewer pipes were discovered.

“It has been almost two months, but it seems there is a lack of conscience [on the part of these establishments] to act on their own,” Cimatu said.

The Cabinet official said he would not hesitate to cancel the discharge permit and other environment-related clearances issued to these establishments should they fail to undertake measures to address their violations.

“Kahit sino ang tamaan sa kanila, we will hold them responsible and make them pay,” the Environment chief said.

Cimatu said Boracay establishments that were discharging their untreated wastewater directly to the sea or illegally connecting to the drainage system contribute greatly to the water pollution that triggered government to close down the world-famous resort island to tourists starting April 26.

“This has become a systemic problem... You are capitalizing on the beauty of the beach, but you are polluting it," he said.

According to the DENR, the Environment chief first received the lists of discovered illegal sewer connections during a meeting with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, and officials of the Environment department and the Department of Public Works and Highways last week.

Both lists contained the locations of pipes, with diameters ranging from two to six inches, connected to the drainage system, the DENR said.

The DENR cited the following establishments which had pipes connected to the drainage: New Guard Enterprises (one six-inch pipe); Red Coco Inn (one 4” and one 6” pipes); Hennan Garden (six 4” and one 6” pipes); Red Coconut Beach Resort and Lime Hotel (one 4” pipe each); and the Crown Regency Convention Center (two 6” pipes).

It added that engineers have yet to trace the sources of pipes found in the following locations: beside New Guard (one four-inch pipe); along Azalea (four 4” and one 2” pipes); in front of Jollibee (one 6” pipe); Wazzan near laundry services and in front of Leylam Shawarma (one 4” pipe each); in front of Hanna Tour Henan Lagoon (two 6” pipes); and in front of BDO at Crown Regency (three 6” pipes). Most of these pipes have already been plugged by the provincial engineering office.

The Boracay Island Water Company also reported pipes along Kanyugan Alley in Station 2 which were connected to the Red Coconut Hotel’s illegal drainage connection, despite the presence of a sewer line in the area.

Illegal pipes were also discovered in front of or beside the following establishments: Posco Tour, Genko Souvenir Shop, Guest Lounge, Giulius Boracay, Zen Room, JJ Resort and Sun Wood Resort. A pipe at The District resort was also found discharging spring water. — MDM, GMA News