Backhoe of sewage treatment plant spotted passing through sea in El Nido

A backhoe of an under construction sewage treatment plant has been spotted passing through the sea in Barangay Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "24 Oras," footage of the vehicle wading in the waters were captured by Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary captain Leonides Echague.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) said the operator of the backhoe did not coordinate with the engineers who were supposed to show his route.

"Ang advice sa kanya, sa aplaya idaan," said, Eriberto Sanos, the OIC of PENRO. "During that time, siguro nag-decide siya sa sarili niya na dahil maraming bangka, may mga tali, hindi naman siguro makisuyo sa mga may-ari ng bangka, ang ginawa idinaan doon sa dagat."

Marine biologists conducted an assessment of the area to determine any damage the incident may have caused on the environment.

"Wala pong damage sa coral kasi wala po namang masyadong corals doon," said Bong Sabenacio, manager of the El Nido Emergency Operations Center.

The operator of the backhoe has been fired from his job. —MGP, GMA News