By Louine Hope U. Conserva, Correspondent

AMID the ongoing crackdown on environmental violators in Boracay Island, the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas (DoT-6) is suspending the accreditation process, both for new applications and renewals, for all establishments at the popular tourist destination.

DoT-6 Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas said they are putting on hold the accreditation program for resorts, hotels, and restaurants while cleansing efforts by the Environmental Task Force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are ongoing.

“New applications and applications for renewal of DoT accreditation will be held in abeyance until certificates of environmental law compliance issued by DENR is/are presented,” she said in an interview.

The DoT main office in Manila also issued a statement yesterday saying the moratorium on accreditations would be in place for six months.

“To prevent continued harmful disposal of wastewater into the seas surrounding the island’s three barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapac), the DoT is imposing a six-month moratorium on accreditation during which resorts and other establishments must acquire and maintain individual water treatment facility, as well as connect to the centralized sewerage system,” the DoT said.

VALID CERTIFICATION
However, Ms. Catalbas clarified that the existing 80 to 85 establishments with DoT accreditation will maintain their respective valid certifications, unless they become included in a DENR certified list of violators.

The regional director added that “only environmental law compliant DoT-accredited tourism establishments as certified to by DENR shall be recommended for participation in national or international travel fairs, missions or road shows sponsored by DoT and Tourism Promotions Board.”

The crackdown on noncompliant establishments came after the warning earlier this month of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to close Boracay as it has become a “cesspool”.

Mr. Duterte ordered national officials to resolve the problem within six months.

The DoT also said that they, in coordination with the DENR and Department of   Interior and Local Government, are “determined to press appropriate criminal and administrative charges against those establishments/operators responsible for the seawater contamination in violation of environmental and tourism laws.”

BUSINESS AS USUAL
Meanwhile, Ms. Catalbas noted that “it is business as usual” on the island as tourist traffic “remains relatively similar or heavier as compared to the past days and weeks.”

Tourists arrivals increased by 15% for the period Feb. 12-18 this year compared to the same period last year.

DoT-6 records show that 48,904 tourists visited Boracay in those six days this year, up from 42,473 in 2017.

There have also been no cancellation of flights at the Kalibo and Caticlan airports as well as roll-on, roll-off sea trips.

“Cancellations are insignificant and may not be related to the pronouncement of the President,” she said.

The DoT also said, “While there is no definitive plan to place Boracay under a state-of-calamity or to close Boracay to international and domestic visitors altogether, the DoT shares the optimism of well-meaning and law-abiding stakeholder operators that Boracay Island will be completely restored in six month-period.”

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