Resorts face sanctions for ‘polluting’ El Nido waters
The government has sanctioned at least nine resorts and hotels in El Nido, Palawan as part of efforts to rehabilitate the tourist destination.
The regional Environment Management Bureau issued cease and desist orders against the establishments for discharging wastewater without the proper permits and below government standards. The businesses were directed to “cease and desist from undertaking any activity and/or operating its machines and equipment generating pollution,” based on copies of the orders dated May 10 and released Saturday.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) added that the businesses discharged wastewater “without any consideration of its impact and effect to the receiving body of water,” in violation of environmental laws.
It identified the following respondents:
El Nido Sea Shell Hotel
Doublegem Beach Resort and Hotel
Buko Beach Resort
Panorama Resort (Mangonana, Inc.)
Four Seasons Seaview Hotel
Stunning Republic Beach Resort
SAVA Beach Bar/SAVA Nest Egg, Inc.
El Nido Beach Hotel
The Nest El Nido Resort and Spa, Inc.
The government is cracking down on establishments found violating environmental and easement laws in El Nido, the next tourist spot to be rehabilitated after Boracay Island. Authorities said the cleanup does not need El Nido’s closure, unlike the six-month shutdown on Boracay until October 2018.
