Soiled diaper buried on Boracay beach has been found, says DENR Usec

The soiled diaper buried in Boracay beach by a tourist has been found, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said on Sunday.

"Masaya po tayo at maayos na ito at maibabaon na rin sa limot ang problemang ito," Antiporda said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

The DENR closed part of the beach at Station 1 last week after a video circulated online showing a woman burying a soiled diaper on the beach while another woman washed the buttocks of a child in the water.

The agency opened that part of the beach after a fecal coliform test ordered by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu proved satisfactory.

Antiporda said they were not able to identify the people in the video.

"Until now hindi natin ma-identify dahil hindi nakunan ng video ang mukha nito. Ang alam po natin ay Asian ito dahil sa kulay nila," he added.

"Napakaliit na bagay, napakalaking issue. Maraming tao ang naabala," Antiporda said of the incident, which he said also entailed costs in terms of time and money.

He encouraged people to cooperate and keep Boracay clean.

"Siguro mas maganda na magtulong-tulong tayo at bantayan ang kalikasan kaysa iasa pa natin sa gobyerno," Antiporda added.

The DENR official said they are preparing an information and education campaign to let tourists know of the dos and don'ts in Boracay.

Usec. Antiporda: Magpapakalat po ng polyetos na naglalaman ng mga paalala sa mga turista sa kung ano ang mga dapat at hindi nila dapat gawin. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 17, 2019

Palawan and other areas

Antiporda confirmed that there are still areas in El Nido, Palawan which are still off limits to swimmers.

"Meron pa ring mga area na bawal maligo doon habang hindi pa naa-address ang coliform level," he said.

Hotels which may also be found violating the guidelines on waste water treatment will also be dealt with, Antiporda said.

Usec. Antiporda: Aalamin po natin kung sinong mga hotel ang pasaway sa Palawan. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 17, 2019

He also said the DENR will also check on Puerto Galera and Panglao regarding coliform levels.

Manila Bay

Rehabilitation efforts at Manila Bay by the DENR and the inter-agency task force are on track, with rivers and creeks also being checked, Antiporda said.

Usec. Antiporda: On target pa naman po ang DENR kasama ng inter-agency task force sa paglilinis sa Manila Bay. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 17, 2019

"Ang mga informal settlers ay unti-unting nililipat natin," he said.

Antiporda said a coastal cleanup was done on Saturday in Barangay Sipac-Almacen in Navotas.

He also said those found contributing to the pollution in Manila Bay will face charges. 

Usec. Antiporda: Napakarami po ang posibleng makasuhan dahil sa pagdudumi sa Manila Bay. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 17, 2019

—KG, GMA News