BORACAY – Residents will be authorized to arrest whoever they catch littering in this famed island resort, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Environment undersecretary for solid waste management and local government Benny Antiporda on Friday said this is part of the the stricter enforcement of the antilittering ordinance in Malay, Aklan (Municipal Ordinance No. 311).
The municipal ordinance bans littering in Malay and provides fines – which can include imprisonment depending on the level of offense – for violators.
When Boracay was opened to local tourists on Oct. 15 for the 11-day dry run of the island’s tourism operations, trash were found at the beachfront.
Antiporda said they want to prevent the same scenario from happening come Oct. 26 – the official reopening of Boracay.
Aside from locals, Antiporda said they also tapped business establishments to help in enforcing Municipal Ordinance No. 311.
He added that members of the Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB) – a group hotels, resorts and restaurants in the famous holiday island – were already accredited by the DENR.
“The CAB would deputize its members to become Boracay marshals,” Antiporda said, adding that each establishment is required to have pollution control officers.
CAB member establishments would also put trash bins on the beachfront and other areas in the island.
Environmental enforcers will also be deployed to patrol Boracay beaches starting the official island reopening date, Environment secretary Roy Cimatu earlier said.
Antiporda also said they will intensify the campaign against single-use plastics in Boracay.
The island, which was once referred to as the “jewel of Philippine tourism” was ordered shut beginning April 26 to pave the way for its half-year rehabilitation. (With a report from Philippine News Agency/PN)
