Netizens were up in arms after a video of a sea turtle feeding on yellowish liquid oozing out of an underwater pipe coming from an establishment in Boracay Island went viral. Authorities took water samples and later on found out the samples tested positive for unsafe coliform levels.
The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) has opened an investigation on a water concessionaire in Boracay after the viral video of a sea turtle went viral in social media.
The said video showed a sea turtle sticking its head to eat from an underwater pipe off Bulabog beach while yellowish ooze continues to spew out.
The video, which was taken by Charn Joon Park or “Boracay Wilson”, has piqued interest on the hard-earned efforts of all stakeholders, spearheaded by the government to ensure that Boracay remains clean.
Other than the netizens’ anger about the situation of the sea turtle, the video has also reached the attention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
After learning the situation in Boracay, the DENR took water samples and later on found out the samples tested positive for unsafe coliform levels.
“We found out ito ay outfall ng Boracay Tubi System Inc. (BTSI) at ayon sa ating water sampling, mataas ang coliform levels nito,” Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.
A cease and desist order was issued by the Environment Management Bureau directly to BTSI from utilizing the outfall.
Earlier this year, a similar situation happened when a pipeline along Talapian alley in Balubog, Balabag was seen discharging untreated wastewater. It was already condemned, and authorities ordered to permanently close and seal the drainage canal.
Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC), on the other hand, released a statement saying that the company is dedicated to treat its wastewater before they release it to Bulabog outfall in compliance with the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Black high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were utilized by BIWC while Blue HDPE pipes was used for potable water.
“For the past few years, BIWC has been compliant with the DENR Class B standards through water tests conducted by Boracay Water, DENR-EMB and a third-party accredited laboratory service,” the water company explained.
President Duterte ordered last year to temporarily close Boracay Island to tourist for six months to give nature time to recover. The island resort was re-opened recently. (RJ Espartinez)