After Boracay, Siargao may be next over waste disposal mess

By Betheena Kae Unite

Not only Boracay Island but Siargao Island in Surigao was also found practising improper waste disposal, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed Wednesday.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo warned that more tourist destinations will be shut down, like in Boracay Island in Aklan, if local government units, operators and business establishments are found violating environmental laws.

Teo revealed that aside from Boracay, they have found improper waste disposal in Siargao Island in Surigao.

The DOT found out that residents and fisherman are damping their excess kerosene or diesel in the ocean near the beaches in Coron Palawan.

“I will not hesitate to inform the President on the environmental issues we have discovered lately in Siargao and Coron Island,” Teo said.

“Let this be a wake up call to the local government officials, business establishments and tourist operatos in the Island of Siargao and Coron, that this administration is very much concern on taking care of the environment promoting a world-class tourism destinations,” Teo added.

Earlier, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the closure of 51 establishments in Boracay Island for violating environmental laws, particularly on sewage facilities.

Teo’s travels

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that Teo is not exempt from President Duterte’s order to government officials under the Executive Branch to go on a starvation diet from foreign travels.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was reported that Teo brought along her make-up artist and utility workers to her 2016 and 2017 trips to Canada, Dubai, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Roque, in a press briefing, said that it is possible that Duterte has already learned about Teo’s trips and that he may even ask the Tourism secretary about it.

“Well, if it’s been published I’m sure the President will ask. It’s in his nature, always to ask,” Roque said yesterday.

However, the Palace official defended Teo, saying it is too early to say if she made excessive trips since it is her job to promote the Philippines to foreign tourists and possible investors. (With a report from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/16/after-boracay-siargao-may-be-next-over-waste-disposal-mess/