MANILA — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the inspection of all government and military golf courses all over the country to enforce compliance with relevant environmental and ecological laws.
Cimatu issued the order after noticing on Saturday that trees at the Philippine Navy Golf Course (PNGC) had been trimmed or cut without the requisite permit and that the water in its canals were dirty and smelly, same as in other government golf courses.
Any government-operated golf course that will fail the inspection of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will face closure, Cimatu said in a press statement dated April 3.
“I will not hesitate to close down a military or government golf course for non-compliance with environmental laws because we in government must lead by example,” he added.
A former Armed Forces chief of staff, Cimatu was at the PNGC over the weekend during the awarding ceremonies for the PMA Corps of Cavaliers golf tournament.
During his stay, Cimatu spoke about the problems, issues and proposed solutions for the premier resort island of Boracay, including its closure for six months starting April 26.
Cimatu also talked about the playing conditions at the government and military golf courses.
Cimatu said he noticed that many trees in the PNGC has been cut or trimmed, apparently to allow more sunlight to reach the golf putting greens.
But whatever the reason, Cimatu said PNGC should have obtained DENR permits before cutting trees.
Cimatu also took issue with the water in the canals in all military courses being dirty and smelly.
“The condition prevailing in these government facilities is an embarrassment.”
“What Secretary Cimatu said jolted many of us. It’s a wake -up call we all needed,” a golfer said. (DENR-PR/PNA)
