Notice of Violation issued vs. 127 Bicol resorts

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Environmental Management Bureau in Region V, has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to over a hundred resorts in the Bicol Region.

In her report on Balitanghali on Wednesday, GMA News' Bernadette Reyes said the EMB issued NOVs to 40 resorts in Camarines Sur, 32 in Albay, 20 in Sorsogon, 17 in Camarines Norte, nine in Catanduanes and nine in Masbate.

EMB V director Eva Ocfemia said the establishments were operating illegally without required documents such as a Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC), a Discharge Permit, or a Permit To Operate.

"Wala pong mga ECC, nago-operate siya ng walang Environment Compliance Certificate, walang discharge permit atsaka wala ring permit to operate, which is within our mandate as far as RA 8749, 'yung Clean Air Act, atsaka 'yung PD RA 9275, 'yung Clean Water Act. And then at the same time, 'yung sa solid waste management din, ini-integrate natin," Ocfemia told GMA News.

The government intensified its efforts against establishments that are violating environmental laws in popular vacation spots like Bohol, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to close down Boracay for becoming a "cesspool."

The world-famous island will not be receiving any tourists throughout the peak season starting April 26 due to a six-month closure recommended to make way for its rehabilitation efforts.

Baguio City

Meanwhile, the EMB-Cordillera Administrative Region (EMB-CAR) allayed fears that Baguio City could also be closed due to environmental reasons.

This was after Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo recommended an assessment on all popular tourist destinations, including the air quality.

The report said the EMB found the air quality in Baguio City "good" to "fair" based on its monitoring.

"Wala pa tayong illnesses that can be attributed to air pollutants. Pag lampas na tayo sa fair...nandito 'yung mga magti-trigger ng mga respiratory tract infections," EMB-CAR director Reynaldo Degamo said.

The city government said it is exerting efforts into resolving heavy traffic and smoke belching problems brought about by throngs of tourist arrivals.

"Lahat naman ng cities suffer, for example, traffic congestion o kaya difficulty with garbage. But bwe are handling it. The important thing is that it is well-managed," Baguio City Administrator, Carlos Canilao, said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News