BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- Local authorities here wanted to close all illegal connections to the island’s drainage system by April 15.
Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said opening up and declogging of the drainage system is being fast-tracked to solve the water pollution problem here.
Miraflores said illegal pipe connections which have contributed to the water problem of the island, have been discovered during a series of excavation activities conducted here since last month.
He said some illegal pipes have been clogged already to identify violating establishments and to impose sanctions. “We will identify all violators,” he said.
The two water service providers here, Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) and Boracay Tubi System Inc. (BTSI), were also ordered to help in the cleanup of the drainage.
The BIWC will be in-charge to clean up the drainage lines along the beach areas, said Miraflores.
The drainage along the main road will be under the Aklan provincial government, in coordination with the local government unit of Malay and BTSI.
The opening up and declogging of the drainage system is part of the cleanup activities aimed to address the environmental problems in Boracay which has been recommended closed for six months.
Miraflores said all accomplishments in the past weeks have been reported to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu prior to the Cabinet meeting on April 5.
President Rodrigo Duterte is yet to give his decision whether the tourist island will be closed for tourists or not. (PNA)
