Resort owners in Bohol told to consider Boracay issue as an eye-opener

Resort owners and investors in Panglao island, Bohol's tourism jewel, should take President Rodrigo Duterte's conviction to close down Boracay due to environmental issues as a warning, a local official said in a Balita Pilipinas report on Tuesday.

"Ang nangyari sa Boracay ay sana magiging leksyon at eye-opener sa lahat," Panglao councilor Rogelyn Clemeña-Degoma said. "Lalung-lalo na sa mga resort owners at investors dito sa Panglao." 

"Kasi kapag hindi sila compliant sa environmental requirements, magiging problema iyon," she added.

According to the report, only 33 of 200 establishments operating in Panglao obtained permits from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Like in Boracay, several structures build along Panglao's beach area are also illegal.

Some resorts also violate certain environmental laws by lacking proper septic tanks and a wastewater treatment facility. 

However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources assured the public that it is safe to wade in the waters of Panglao in spite of the high amount of fecal coliform recorded in one of the island's beaches last month.

This kind of bacteria is commonly found in animal and human waste.  —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News