The occurrence of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) that caused red tide is triggered by unsanitary water runoff that drained towards Honda Bay, an aquaculturist of the City Agriculture’s Office warned.
Joven Delgado explained that while several factors affect its occurrence, polluted water contributed significantly for the microorganism and algae to multiply, especially those wastes coming from establishments.
“More na nakaka-apekto nyan ay sa wastewater. At isa pa, itong mga poultry farms natin sa Sta. Cruz sa bukana ng ilog tinatapon ang dumi at inilalabas sa Honda Bay,” he said.
Delgado explained that last year, several advisories were issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) banning the collection of shells and shellfish in both Honda and Puerto Princesa Bays due to red tide. HAB occurred during rainy days.
“Ang occurrence ng HAB ay kapag start na ng tag-ulan. Ang nag-trigger sa kanya ay nutrients and other environmental conditions,” he added.
He said that the DENR, through the Environmental Managemental Bureau (EMB) whose vital role is to regularly check the water quality of our water bodies, in close coordination with other national agencies and local government units, can help address the problem on HAB.
“Ang informal settlers sa mangrove areas ay caused sya ng ibat ibang issues kasi nandyan ang water pollution nandyan ang namumutol ng mangroves at marami pang ibang pagsira ng environment,” said Marsha Ocampo of DENR-CENRO Puerto Princesa during the city government’s workshop on the updating of the Environmental Code specifically during the discussion of issues affecting the coastal areas in the city.
Mary Anne Joylle M. Madriñan, Senior Environmental Management Specialist of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, on the other hand, said that the occurrence of red tide in the city has ripple effects to the tourism industry, especially that many tourists preferred seafoods in going to various restaurants and hotel resorts.
“Ang ating mga turista ay malulungkot sila kung walang mga seafoods na makakain kasi apektado ng red tide,” she said.
Madriñan said that their office received a report last month regarding an establishment that directly discharged the effluents from its septic tank directly to the seawater. She contacted the concerned punong barangay and other barangay officials but was dismayed to know that the officials were unaware of the law that prohibits the dumping of wastes to the natural water bodies.
“May training naman itong mga bagong halal na officials. Kaya nagulat ako na may mga ganun palang bagay na hindi alam ng ibang barangay officials. Kasi ayon sa kanila ay, “hindi naman namin alam na bawal yan”, yun ang sabi nila,” Madriñan quoted a barangay official.
She further said that a separate orientation on environmental laws should also be discussed and presented to the Liga ng mga Barangay and its members to make them fully aware of existing laws and ordinances.
“Maimbitahan rin sana ang mga barangay. Sabi nila meron daw silang seminar na BNEO, yun lang daw. Tungkol lang sa peace and order, sa katarungang pambarangay, at hindi nila alam itong sa mga environmental laws natin,” she said.
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