‘Malay must ensure proper Boracay waste mgt’

The local government unit (LGU) of Malay, Aklan may face more charges for failing to address the garbage problem in this island resort, warned the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

NSWMC executive director Eli Ildefonso said the Malay LGU “has yet to ensure that the [Ecological] Solid Waste Management Act [of 2000] is properly implemented.”

“Our team already finished cleaning the island of solid waste 30 days after Boracay was closed,” said Ildefonso, stressing that the wastewater problem needs immediate action.

Boracay has been closed since April 26. It is currently undergoing a half-year rehabilitation led by an interagency government task force.

Ineffective waste disposal system had been blamed for environmental problems in the island.

The Interior department already filed charges against local officials before the Office of the Ombudsman over the management of Boracay.

The agency accused Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores of “serious neglect of duty” to ensure sustainability in the tourist destination.

On the other hand, Mayor Ciceron Cawaling and 15 municipal government officials were accused of issuing establishments permits to operate even without the required fire safety inspection certificate.

Meanwhile, Municipal Councilor Maylynn Graf, chairwoman of Malay’s Sangguniang Bayan committee on environment, said she requested the NSWMC to inspect the sanitary landfill in the mainland once Boracay reopens in October.

“We want the NSWMC to see the condition of the sanitary landfill,” she said./