DAPA, Siargao Island — Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas said majority of the 124 resorts in General Luna, the country’s surfing mecca and the province’s most popular tourism destination, lack environmental permits.
Matugas said at least 99 resorts operating in General Luna, where the famous Cloud Nine surfing site was located, had not secured Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an ECC is required for any project deemed to pose potential significant impact to the environment.
Following the government’s crackdown against polluters in Boracay, another popular tourist destination, Matugas warned that the provincial government may also shut down the operations of resorts that lack ECC.
The governor warned that Siargao Island can only escape the fate similar to Borocay if resort owners comply with the law and implement sound environmental measures in their operations.
“I’m a Siargaonon and I was born and raised in General Luna. I will not allow this problem on environment to exist in my hometown,” the governor told resort operators and other tourism stakeholders during a meeting recently.
The governor said she wanted Siargao’s protected areas to remain free from tourism activities.
During the meeting, it was learned that most of the resorts had no proper septic tanks.
“Most septic tanks on the island have a bottomless design, which allows wastewater to quickly seep through the ground. This poses higher risk of contamination in freshwater and seawater,” said Dr. Merlinda Placencia, who introduced Eco-septic system in Siargao Island.
Wilson L. Trajico, regional director of Environment and Management Bureau (EMB)-Caraga, said he already advised non-compliant resort owners to secure an ECC.
“We will check every resort and validate their compliance,” warned Dir. Trajico.
Micheal Tuapes, clearance and permitting officer at EMB-Caraga, said only resorts with a total floor area of 1,000 square meters would be compelled by law to obtain ECC.
“For tourism projects with less than 1,000 square meters of area, a certificate of non-coverage” is required, Tuapes explained.
Abe Tolentino, president of Siargao Tourism Operators Association comprising at least 80 resorts on the island, said shutting down the resorts was not the solution.
Instead, Tolentino appealed that their members be given a grace period to obtain the necessary environmental permits. (Roel N. Catoto/PNA)
