DENR raps Boracay firm over ‘yellowish’ wastewater discharge into sea

Boracay beach (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a temporary cease and desist order against a Boracay firm, which was discovered discharging wastewater with a high fecal coliform level into the sea.

The cease and desist order signed by DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Western Visayas Region Director Atty. Ramar Niel V. Pascua took effect last September 21, the agency said in a statement on Monday.

The order, it added, will be effective for seven days unless confirmed by the Pollution Adjudication Board and in such case, it will be considered a regular order.

According to DENR, it traced the wastewater from the one-kilometer outfall pipe of Boracay Tubi Systems, Inc. (BTSI) from Lugatan area in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to Sibuyan Sea.

Sinkers were placed on the outfall pipe to secure and prevent from floating, and it was found to be almost 13 kilometers below the water surface.

In an inspection conducted by EMB personnel, an outfall pipe was seen discharging a large volume of yellowish water.

Laboratory analysis results showed the fecal coliform and phosphate level found from the water sample exceeded the maximum general effluent standards.

DENR said the water sample collected had a fecal coliform of 3,500 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/ml). This is against an effluent standard of Class SC water of 400 MPN/100ml.

Meanwhile, the phosphate level was found at 2,250 mg P/L.

“I have made it clear from Day 1 that no one is above the law,” DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said in the same statement.

“All environmental laws have to be strictly enforced because their primary purpose is to protect our environment and natural resources,” he added.

Cimatu said DENR will “appropriately deal” with violators of environment laws. /kga