THE Lapu-Lapu City government has renewed its push for sustainable tourism on Mactan Island, which houses some of Cebu’s world-class hotels and resorts.

City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said his administration will look into the environmental impact of new businesses setting up in the city.

“We are very strict on that. They must follow the environmental laws especially in sanitation,” he said.

Chan said the city government has created a team that looks into environmental concerns.

Mactan Island, a key tourist hub in Cebu, is home to an estimated close to a hundred accommodation establishments, including resorts, hotels and restaurants.

For his part, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (Hrrac) president Carlo Suarez assured the group supports the government in protecting the environment.

“We are happy with the latest development of the local government of Lapu-Lapu that they will strictly implement the environmental guidelines such as the easement of the shoreline and the sewage treatment plant (STP) concerns,” he said.

The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) has required resorts to maintain a 25-meter shoreline easement.

“So for the city, since it’s highly urbanized, it should be six to seven meters,” he said.

Suarez said they are also ready to help member hotels and resorts in complying with environmental requirements such as sewage treatment plants.

“As for the sewage treatment plant concerns, if the government is very strict about it, then we have to implement a stricter measure since only half of the hotels in Lapu-Lapu are compliant,” he said.

He admitted some members remain non-compliant but are working on their compliance.

“Should they be not compliant to the environmental guidelines given by the DENR, we should take action on it,” he said. “We should be fair to all compliant properties. Hrrac has members who are non-compliant but they are working on their STP and other concerns on the environmental guidelines.” (JOB)