2 mountain resorts found violating environmental laws

CEBU, Philippines — A cease and desist order is expected anytime soon against two mountain resorts in Carmen town in northern Cebu after the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-7 found several violations of environmental laws.

A notice of violation was already issued by EMB-7 director Ma. Victoria Abrera against the Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort in Barangay Corte and Middle Earth Mountain Resort in Barangay Lower Natimao-an.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to issue a cease and desist order against the two resorts after a joint inspection team from EMB-7 and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) reported the various violations during a meeting at the Capitol yesterday.

The team, led by Engr. Mary Ann Bueno, chief of the Environmental Impact Assessment Section of EMB-7, found that the resorts built concrete structures within the mandatory 20-meter easement zone of Luyang River.

Garcia immediately ordered the demolition of such structures, especially the pools, in order to allow the water to flow freely for the benefit of water consumers who are experiencing water scarcity at this time of the year.

Bueno reported to Garcia that her team discovered at least eight pools built by Durano Eco Park and at least two for Middle Earth Mountain Resort. These are on top of the cottages and other amenities for their guests.

Bueno’s team also found out that the two resorts have been operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as mandated under Presidential Decree 1586. Another violated noted by the team was the lack of valid discharge permit and an accredited pollution control officer as required by the Clean Water Act (RA 9275), and violations concerning the management of hazardous wastes under RA 6969.

According to Bueno, the two resorts have diverted the water from the river into their mini-pools and then discharge the same back to the river as waste without proper treatment.

Sugbo News, Capitol’s official news page, reported that the management of the two resorts admitted their violations and expressed willingness to cooperate to correct their violations.

The Capitol sent a team to inspect the upstream barangays of Carmen in a bid to help maximize the water production of Luyang River, which currently supplies at least 35 million liters of water daily to Metro Cebu through the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD). FPL (CEBU NEWS)