Measures to Protect Panglao’s Natural Environment

Garbage and environmental offenses are nightmares in Bohol’s tourism. So, the provincial government of Bohol called for an inter-agency meeting for the restoration and rehabilitation of Panglao island for sustainable tourism. The agencies asked the governor to issue an executive order to invigorate the implementation of environmental laws such as SILG DAO No. 2018-1053, PD 1067, RA 9003, RA 9275, and RA 6969.The said meeting sought to improve water quality for biodiversity and the promotion of tourism on the island.

Lawin Patrollers on the go

Among the initiatives to implement laws, the government hired Lawin Patrollers since a few years ago. They monitor the activities of the island and maintain environmental standards through a monthly clean-up.

The Patrollers check if commercial establishments erect the right buildings.

Establishments demolished

As reported, there are 563 establishments on the island which built 1,051 structures. From 2018 to 2022, the government has demolished 91 illegal structures.

This means that no one can just do what they want, ignoring our laws to advance profiteering interests. Establishments should abide or else they do not have a business.

The demolition gives us the idea that Panglao is not yet like the former Boracay, which closed its doors because of many infractions. We cannot allow this to happen here.

In Bohol, environmental laws and tourism are like Siamese twins. The prime industry cannot thrive and prosper without well-implemented laws.

Still, the prime tourism destination continues to face garbage problems. These might not come from the residents or tourists.

Garbage and coliform

Mayor Edgardo Arcay of Panglao town pointed out plastics and wastes carried by the waves at Alona seashore from other towns. Because of these wastes, the municipality has a hard time with painful and persevering efforts, even if it has a daily monitoring and clean-up of its beaches.

Panglao island also has high levels of coliform bacteria in its waters. The participants representing different agencies suspect the perennial problem to have come from leakages of septic tanks. They want to test the theory if boats discharge their human waste as they pass near the island.

With perennially high coliform levels in the island, one should test alternative hypotheses that can explain. If sub-standard septic tanks are the actual problems, it is time to go house to house and check every resort if they put a cement floor for their septic tanks. The province mulls this idea.

The island should learn what Bantayan island in Cebu is doing: check septic tanks among residents and resorts. Bantayan strictly enforces its compliance standard.

If we want a well-preserved natural environment, laws and their strict implementation are inseparable.

Shortly, more condominiums, hotels and malls will serve clients on the island. But they should not arise at the cost of our eco-system.

“There is nothing wrong with development; it is wrong when development happens at the cost of environment and at the cost of culture and humanity (Abhijit Naskar)”.