BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will now strictly require businesses on Boracay Island to have their own sewerage treatment plant.
This is based on an administrative order of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.
The order requires all resorts and hotels, and similar establishments within Station 1, 2 and 3 of the White Beach and other areas in Boracay with 50 rooms and above, to have their own sewerage treatment plant (STP).
Meanwhile, those with 49 rooms and below are required to have a clustered STP or they may opt to have a separate STP.
To ensure compliance by all establishments, the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau will be conducting regular monitoring.
Cimatu, in recent media interview, said the order will be implemented “as soon as possible.”
He said the two water utilities — the Boracay Island Water Company and Boracay Tubi Systems Inc. could not yet accommodate the total wastewater load of the island.
The average water consumption of consumers connected to BIWC and Boracay Tubi is about 19.79 mL/d or (milliliters per day), with an estimated 15.8 mL/d wastewater to be treated. This also does not include the wastewater from residential areas.
However, the maximum water treatment capacity of both water utilities is only 12 m/Ld.
Meanwhile, the DENR is also eyeing to establish a water quality monitoring system on the island before its reopening in October.
The water quality monitoring system will provide real-time data on the water quality around Boracay, he said.
“We need it very much. This is to prevent the deterioration of water quality on the island,” he said, adding that coliform levels will also be measured by the system.
He said the water quality will be regularly monitored to ensure that it is within standards.
Improving the water quality in Boracay within the six-month rehabilitation period is one of the milestones set by the inter-agency task force before it could be reopened for touristsoperation. ( Karen Bermejo/PNA)
