TWO shipping companies were found to have been disposing of human wastes into the sea, according to an investigation by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu.
The local government of Santa Fe was alarmed after residents and tourists reported that human wastes were found on the shores, prompting an investigation on the matter.
According to a report submitted by Santa Fe Environment Officer Rudy Batoltol, the human wastes were found to have come from the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels of the two shipping companies travelling from Hagnaya Port in San Remigio town to Santa Fe and vice versa.
The vessels of Island Shipping Corp. (ISC) and another shipping company (name withheld pending the company’s statement) were found to have no septic tanks, and human wastes were reportedly flushed out directly to the sea.
Batoltol’s report also stated that the management of the two shipping companies confirmed that their shipping vessels do not have toilet waste holding tanks.
Batoltol said that his team started the investigation in November last year where they initially inspected the ISC-LCT 3, ISC-Super Express Island 2, another passenger vessel and a cargo vessel to check on the vessels’ compliance of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003) and other environmental laws and ordinances.
“More so after the management of Island Shipping Corp. confirmed that all of their units plying the Santa Fe and Hagnaya routes and vice versa are without septic tank; using sea water for flushing; mineral water as their drinking water; and that they are disposing solid wastes at Hagnaya, San Remigio,” the report read.
Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana visited one of the ISC vessels yesterday after the company still failed to comply with the Port and Airport Sanitation and Environment Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 918).
“We were wondering why wastes were seen in some areas when we are fervently implementing a clean-up campaign. The residents are not only to be blamed but the passenger vessels as well,” said Esgana.
The mayor said that the Municipal Council of Santa Fe has approved a resolution requesting the Maritime Industry Authority to take action on the matter.
Esgana said he was worried about the state of the beaches considering that the town is relying on tourism as their main source of income. Santa Fe is known for its white sand beaches.
Capt. Medel Gomez, ship captain of ISC-LCT 2, told Esgana that he will inform the company about the town’s concern.
“I’m not aware if the septic tank is part of the requirement in getting a sanitary permit,” said Gomez, who saw the need for a septic tank. He said without a septic tank, wastes would go directly to the sea, which could damage to the environment.
Gomez said that the operation of the vessel will be affected as the installation of septic tank in every vessel would take time.
There are four RoRo vessels operated by ISC that travel to Bantayan Island.