MALAY, Aklan – The Boracay Tubi System Inc. (BTSI) said it complied the water quality and effluent standards after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lifted its cease and desist order on BTSI Lugotan outfall in Boracay Island.
BTSI reassured the public there was no direct discharging of untreated wastewater to the open sea.
“Nais naming ibalik ang pagtitiwala at ipa-aabot sa lahat na naglilinis kami ng aming tinatapon na treated wastewater at patuloy tayong mag-comply sa standards ng DENR. Ang outfall ay operational at tuloy-tuloy sa ngayon. Kailangan gumamit din kami ng mga chemicals para maayos ang discharge ng treated wastewater sa outfall,” BTSI general manager Jojo Tagpis said.
A joint sampling with DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) on BTSI interceptor and outfall was conducted on Sept. 21 to comply with the guidelines of the DENR on water effluent standards.
The environment agency issued DAO 2016-08 in compliance with Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 or Republic Act 9275.
“Pinasara din ng DENR ang aming gate valve para walang matapon na wastewater doon sa outfall. Dahil hindi kami allowed doon magtapon ng mga treated wastewater sa Lugotan outfall, hinakot ng 14 vacuum trucks ang mga discharges ng establishments at dinala ito sa isang lagoon,” Tagpis said.
Acting Malay mayor Frolibar Bautista hired divers to check the outfall in Bulabog beach.
Last Sept. 24, BTSI said it resolved the issue on its Lugotan outfall which went viral on social media on Sept. 18. A video of a dive shop showed an adult female turtle resting her head in the outfall while discharging “untreated wastewater” in the sea.
Likewise, BTSI is investigating the alleged intrusion and illegal tapping into its 1-km pipeline towards the shoreline connecting to Lugotan outfall.
“We take this incident seriously. All wastewater is treated on site at the individual Sewerage Treatment Plants of establishments. The interceptor and STPs are closely monitored by BTSI, by DENR-EMB and a third party laboratory testing for compliance to the latest DENR standards,” the BTSI said.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
