OSLOB’S officials will implement new regulations to prevent pollution on its sandbar and dive sites near Sumilon Island, including a cap of 500 tourists per day.
The new regulations will take effect today and follow a week-long cleanup, when some two tons of assorted waste were gathered.
In a press conference on Monday, Elizabeth Benologa, Oslob tourism officer, said that starting today, the town will limit tourist visits to the sandbar of Sumilon Island to 500 persons per day.
Benologa told reporters that limiting the number of tourists on the sandbar is aimed at preventing the accumulation of solid waste there.
The Municipal Government has also required boat operators who ferry tourists to the sandbar to provide black bags to their customers so they can avoid leaving any solid waste, Benologa said.
Benologa said the municipality already has an ordinance that prohibits the disposal of waste in public areas.
Aside from limiting the number of people occupying the sandbar, Benologa said they are also limiting the number of hours that tourists can stay in the area.
The limit is three hours, but Benologa said they could provide exceptions especially during the peak season.
Members of the Bancogon Oslob Fishermen’s Association (BOFA) said that as the stewards assigned to protect and manage the sandbar and dive sites owned by the municipality, they have a tough job ahead of them.
Rodrigo Magalzo, BOFA vice president, told reporters that their members will be watching the sandbar from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to ensure that it will remain clean.
But Magalzo said they are concerned about some tourists who refuse to use the town-operated comfort room and opt to relieve themselves in the water.
Enrico Monsanto, Bluewater Island Resort marketing and communications manager, told reporters that their resort constructed the comfort room near the sandbar and they were willing to assist the LGU if one CR is not enough.
He praised the Oslob Municipal Government for the cleanup, as it created a lot of good publicity for the town and their resort.
Still in Oslob, around 50 habal-habal drivers have committed to help the Oslob Municipal Government clean up Tumalog Falls starting today.
Starting today until Thursday, the Municipal Government will clean up Tumalog Falls.
Oslob Mayor Jose “Jun” Tumulak Jr. said this is the town’s response to the findings made by the Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), which inspected the site last week and found some garbage.