The rampant environmental violations of beach resorts, particularly in Panglao, will personally be inspected by DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu who is arriving here tomorrow.
A highly placed source told the Chronicle that Cimatu’s visit will trigger a full dress investigation on the environmental violations which are causing the reported fecal contamination of the seawaters in Panglao, particularly in the Alona beach area.
This will be the site where the DENR secretary will inspect as part of his visit/inspection tomorrow.
Sec. Cimatu is making true to his earlier commitment to visit Panglao after he recently made a crackdown on environmental violators in Boracay. He was given an advanced notice of the “almost alarming” status of some areas in Panglao after NEDA Sec. Ernesto Pernia, who is a Boholano, expressed concern on how environmental violations are glaringly not being checked for immediate corrections.
It maybe noted that recently, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) released a list of 82 establishments which have not complied with the environmental requirements.
The non-compliant resorts vary from small resorts to some leading resorts in Panglao.
Prior the inspection at Alona beach, Sec. Cimatu will meet with the Panglao-Dauis-Tagbilaran Executive Council which will be convened by Gov. Edgar Chatto at the Bohol Tropics at 1 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap, Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes and Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo together with the representatives from the national agencies will be in attendance of the meeting.
The meeting will present to Sec. Cimatu their programs as well as their claimed accomplishments amid criticisms that there are “much yet to be done” as far as the environmental protection is concerned.
The DENR secretary is expected to hold an assessment of his inspection during a dinner-meeting at South Palms Resort tomorrow evening.
Sec. Cimatu will be joined by NEDA Sec. Pernia on Tuesday.
The same as in Boracay, the local government units (LGU) play a major role in the preservation of environment.
DENR-Bohol head Salem Quiwag told the Chronicle that the visit of Sec. Cimatu will concretize the government’s serious call to run after those environmental violators.
The DENR secretary will be arriving at around 10 0’clock tomorrow.
He will proceed first to Tubigon town as guest of honor during the anniversary of the 47th Infantry Batallion. Cimatu who is a bemedalled officer was one of the founders of the said military unit serving the needs of the town folks. He will lead in a tree planting activity.
From the Tagbilaran City Airport, Cimatu will be flown by chopper to Tubigon town. He will proceed to Balilihan town to join Gov. Chatto in another of a series of the HEAT-IT Caravan.
After a luncheon meeting in Balilihan town, the chopper will bring back Sec. Cimatu to the city for two separate meetings.