The inter-agency task force created to look into the state of El Nido and Coron announced that El Nido is not closing as rehabilitation efforts are already ongoing since April this year. The task force composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of the Interior Local and Government (DILG) met with the local officials of El Nido last week.
“May nakita kaming environmental violations,” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said adding that they will focus on those violators as their establishments must be closed. Sec. Cimatu added there are wastes in the lagoon and a number of establishments encroached into the easement zones.
El Nido Mayor Nieves Rosento confirmed that 25 establishments have been closed down as part of the rehabilitation effort and 280 more establishments have been caught violating waste disposal rules and building easements near the shoreline. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that El Nido is overcrowded and that the government should determine the island’s carrying capacity.
There are also violations in the easement including littering, oil-spill and overcrowding. Sec. Puyat also noted that there were too many kayaks and boats and that these have to be regulated properly. The recommendation of the team has been submitted for review by President Rodrigo Duterte and the fate of El Nido will still depend on how the President will act on it.
In a speech during the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival, President Duterte sternly warned that he will close El Nido and Coron if establishments and local government units will not take heed in protecting the environment. “Protect your crown jewel.
Avoid overcrowding,” President Duterte then said. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a statement that the government should study carefully as closure of El Nido and Coron will cause more negative impacts on the stakeholders especially the workers who will be displaced if this will occur.