More than 50 businesses on the Philippine resort island hotspot of Boracay could be closed down as authorities get tough on sewage and garbage violations.
Officers from the department of environment and natural resources served notices on 51 establishments which are alleged to have no wastewater treatment facilities and are dumping sewage into the sea.
Environment secretary Roy Cimatu said about 60% of all establishments in Boracay do have adequate treatment facilities, but the rest ‘direct their pipes to the canals, which drain to the sea.’
Of those in violation, he said: "We will give these establishments three to five days to respond. Otherwise, we will cut their water connections."
Then they will have two months install their own wastewater treatment or connect outflows to the main island sewage treatment plant.
The crackdown is hot on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s ultimatum last week ordering the department to clean up the island within six months or Boracay could face a complete shutdown.
He had likened it to a ‘cesspool.’
