The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 Regional Executive Director Gilbert C. Gonzales has instructed the Environment Management Bureau (EMB)-7 to conduct a stringent inspection and monitoring of all waste management and treatment facilities of all resorts, malls and hotels in Central Visayas.
This, following the issue on the illegal disposal of untreated medical wastes off the coast of Mactan Channel.
“We have been strongly rallying to the call of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to fully enforce environmental laws, this year, we will begin by conducting a strict monitoring of waste management systems of large establishments in the region to make sure that major waste generators are handling their wastes responsibly,” said Gonzales.
EMB-7 Regional Director William Cuñado, in response, vowed to address solid waste and clean water concerns by penalizing those who do not comply with the existing environmental laws, rules and regulations.
“In compliance with the instruction of RED Gonzales, we will create composite teams from DENR field offices and EMB to conduct the inspection and compliance of hotels, resorts and malls,” said Cuñado.
Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, no person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any declared environmentally critical project or area without first securing an Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC).
“The purpose of ECC is to ensure that development will not come at the expense of our environment. ECC conditions issued to establishments need to be strictly followed and executed,” he added.
The EMB will be sending notices of violations to establishments not following the ECC conditions and will temporarily stop the operation for non-compliance.
Also, under the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, owners or operators of facilities that discharge regulated effluents are required to secure a permit to discharge.
The said discharge permit shall be the legal authorization granted to establishments to discharge wastewater.
Under the law, all untreated excreta from residential areas without septic tanks and untreated wastewater from commercial, industrial, institutional and public establishments shall not be allowed to be discharged to open drainage canals or piped drainage
systems.
“No wastewater shall be discharged to waterways without any proper treatment,” reiterated Cuñado. (PR)