CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some beach and inland resorts in Northern Mindanao have been improperly discharging their wastewater, according to Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 10) Director Sabdullah Abubacar.
Abubacar said his office discovered this violation in the course of their two-week inspection in beaches along the Macajalar, Gingoog, and Panguil Bay coastlines.
Abubacar said the improper disposal of wastewaster was also found among inland resorts in landlocked Bukidnon, and even beaches around the island province of Camiguin.
The series of surprise inspections were conducted following an order from the EMB central office, the official said, over the discovery of serious environmental violations in the world-renowned resort of Boracay in the Visayas.
Among the most common violations the EMB 10 found among the region’s resorts pertain to the lack of necessary permits to operate a water treatment facility. Worse, some even lacked water treatment facilities of their own.
Department of Tourism (DOT10) Director Marie Elaine Unchuan said that under the Water Code of the Philippines, commercial establishments such as resorts need to discharge their “black water” and “grey water” separately.
Black water” emanates from toilet bowls and urinals while “grey water” comes from kitchen sinks, showers and faucets, Dir. Unchuan explained.
DOT 10 conducted its own inspection of the region’s beach resorts following a separate directive from Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
Meanwhile, Abubacar said he will release the full report on the list of violators by next week. He said the normal process is for the beach resorts to “get rid of the anomalies within 15 days” lest they face sanctions. (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)
