THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao Region is currently conducting a survey of the different business establishments operating in the forest lands of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos).
Marcia Isip, DENR 11 assistant regional director for Technical Services, told reporters during the Kapihan sa PIA press conference held last Friday, May 4, that their office was conducting an inventory of beach resorts and other business establishments including restaurants in Samal.
This came on the heels of the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to shut down Boracay Island for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation.
“What the government monitors is within the forest land so it needs to be checked and monitored. Those on the shoreline are also included in the forest land,” said Isip.
Currently, this initiative involves only survey listing. Nothing beyond that had started yet however Isip said data taken from this will be further processed.
“We will use this to prepare a plan out of this survey result and then we will recommend some actions. That is in compliance with the environmental laws, rules, and regulations,” she said.
About two weeks ago, the city government of Samal had also announced that they are going to go after hotels and resorts in the island that have yet to complete their business permit registration. According to Samal tourism and investment officer Jennifer Cariaga, there are still at least 10 resorts in Samal who are operating but have yet to have completed processing their permits.
First warning letters have been issued to these business establishments and they would be given about three days for the second warning letter and another three days for the final warning letter before their establishment will finally be closed.