MONTEVIRGEN, ROZEL

BSA

DENR removes hostel's illegal drain pipe along El Nido beach

Rappler.com

Published 1:15 PM, April 21, 2019

Updated 1:16 PM, April 21, 2019

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources says Outpost Beach Hostel's use of the hidden
sewage line is a 'blatant disregard for the environment'

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) removed a
hostel's illegal drainage pipe that was installed along the beach at Barangay Corong-Corong in El Nido,
Palawan.

In a statement on Sunday, April 21, the DENR said the illegally installed pipe was traced to Outpost
Beach Hostel. This was among the establishments to which the DENR issued a notice of violation for
releasing wastewater below quality standards.

The hostel's pipe was discharging black and foul-smelling liquid directly into Bacuit Bay, one of Palawan's
ecotourism sites undergoing rehabilitation.

DENR Mimaropa regional executive director Henry Adornado said Outpost Beach Hostel's use of the
hidden sewage line is a "blatant disregard for the environment" and a "clear violation" of the Water
Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 1067 and Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine
Clean Water Act of 2004.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, and Interior Secretary
Eduardo Año had agreed to rehabilitate El Nido without a temporary closure, unlike what the
government had done in Boracay.

The municipal government has already closed at least 22 establishments for violating the 3-meter
coastal easement policy in El Nido, while another 50 tourism establishments may face closure.

Efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay are also underway. The DENR has issued Memorandum Circular No.
2019-01 ordering all establishments within the bay's region to either connect to existing sewer lines or
set up their own sewerage treatment plants to ensure their wastewater is collected and treated
properly.

The circular covers all government facilities, subdivisions, condominiums, commercial centers, hotels,
sports and recreational facilities, hospitals, marketplaces, public buildings, industrial complex and other
similar establishments along Manila Bay's surrounding areas. – Rappler.com
MONTEVIRGEN, ROZEL
BSA

3 restaurants found polluting Manila Bay, water cut off

Ralf Rivas

Published 1:40 PM, January 27, 2019

Updated 1:40 PM, January 27, 2019

The Laguna Lake Development Authority cuts off the water supply of 3 establishments operating near
Manila Bay due to environmental violations

MANILA, Philippines – The wastewater-discharging facilities of 3 establishments were shut down by the
Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), with the assistance of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), on Sunday, January 27.

The crackdown was among the activities for the kick-off of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

Aristocrat along Roxas Boulevard, Gloria Maris at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, and
Esplanade San Miguel by the Bay were issued cease and desist orders for pollutive water discharge and
not having the appropriate wastewater facility. (LOOK: Manila Zoo closed 'until further notice')

JUST IN: Aristocrat restaurant slapped with a cease and desist order for pollutive wastewater
discharge @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/9OgExVJrak

— Ralf Rivas (@RalfRivas) January 27, 2019

LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina said the establishments can still operate, but they will have no
water source and cannot discharge wastewater.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the LLDA has jurisdiction over the establishments
because their wastewater affects the Laguna Lake. Moreover, the LLDA said Pasay City is within its
jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the LLDA also issued notices of violation against several establishments of SM Prime
Holdings, Sea Residences, Lolo Taba and Lola Pato restaurant, and Aliw Inn.

The agency said it has inspected some 285 establishments. Initial results showed that only 59 have
sewage treatment plants, while 120 do not have the necessary facilities. – Rappler.com
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BSA

210 violation notices issued to Batangas livestock farms

Ipat Luna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources wants livestock farms to develop
wastewater treatment facilities

Tina Ganzon Ozaeta

Published 5:01 PM, January 20, 2019

Updated 5:01 PM, January 20, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calabarzon
issued 210 notices of violation (NOV) to livestock farms in the province of Batangas in a meeting held
Friday, January 18.

The agency called a meeting to discuss how farms can comply with the Clean Water Act to stop the flow
of waste to bodies of water. Those issued NOVs were given 30 days to comply with the order.

DENR Calabarzon regional executive director Ipat Luna said she wants livestock farms to develop
wastewater treatment facilities rather than to merely comply with secure discharge permits.

"We are elevating the cases of all who did not attend to the Pollution Adjudication Board and those with
commitments we will monitor very closely," Luna added.

Farms that fail to comply with the NOVs will be slapped with daily fines from the date the violation
notice was issued.

DENR Calabarzon will conduct the same technical conference in the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Quezon,
and Cavite in line with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu's directive to revive bodies of water following
the Boracay clean-up and a similar campaign for Manila Bay. – Rappler.com