Boracay faces big garbage problem

BORACAY — A serious garbage problem threatens the world-famous Boracay tourist island in Aklan because of plans to close its 12-year-old open dumpsite.

Businessmen fear that a Smokey Mountain — similar to the mountain of trash that used to obscure Tondo, Manila — could rise up here if the temporary garbage dump in Sitio Bulabog, Barangay Balabag is closed down.

The temporary dumpsite has been operating since 1992.

"We have received notice that the temporary dumpsite will be closed this month," said Lara Salaver, president of the Boracay Foundation, the island’s chamber of commerce.

"This poses a health and environment hazard," she added.

Aside from foreign and local tourists, the seven-kilometer long island of Boracay is also home to about 13,000 residents who live in its three barangays of Yapak, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc.

Salaver said that they had proposed that garbage from the island be transported by barge to the mainland and taken to a controlled dumpsite.

However, the plan was rejected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after finding out that the proposed dumpsite is close to a watershed, she added.

In a telephone interview, Jenny Flores, senior geologist of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, said the open dumpsite in Boracay is indeed slated for closure.

"But it is most likely that the operation of the dumpsite will be extended," she said.

"At the moment, we are encouraging them (Boracay residents) to set-up a recycling or a material recovery facility and engage in composting to minimize the problem."

Under the law, the dumping of garbage in open dumpsites is prohibited, she added.

Raul Lorilla, Aklan provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the open dumpsite in Boracay has been emitting methane, a highly-toxic and flammable gas.

However, Lorilla said pending the preparation of a new garbage dump, also in Barangay Balabag, the open dumpsite will have to continue operating.