TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— A joint inter-agency and multi sectoral team looking into the issues in Balicasag Island has recommended the total ban on backyard hog-raising, implement zero waste policy by forcing tourist boats to bring back their waste to the mainland and a domestic waste segregation, composting and collection policy in the island.
It may be recalled that the Provincial Government and the Municipal Government of Panglao along with national government agencies and tourism stakeholders organized an ocular inspection to Balicasag over complaints of foul odor which pervades in some areas which are frequented by tourists.
At the site assessment and verification of the source of the foul odor, the team found that there are households engaged in backyard hog-raising and without proper waste disposal and sanitation, the smell is carried to areas in the island with tourists.
Balicasag island, some few kilometers of Poblacion in Panglao has become a favorite tourism inter-island destination due to its world class dive and snorkeling sites, teeming marine life, dolphin and whale watching tours, uninhabited islets and sand bars and an existing sea transport.
Although declared a naval reservation, the habit of fishermen beaching their boats for mid-day rest while fishing, has motivated people to construct resting shed, which, over time have become residences.
The island Balicasag, has an estimated resident population of 800, a day care center, an elementary school, a health center and a government dive facility, two waste containment areas for domestic garbage but residents are not strictly into proper composting techniques, waste segregation and there are no regular waste collection for disposal to the mainland.
The island has also an LGU operated office base for local snorkeling and dive guides, a Philippine Coast Guard Substation and a Philippine Navy substation.
The team also noted that an island of karst foundation, seepage of leachate from stored garbage in Balicasag can easily ruin its fragile marine ecosystems.
Moreover, with the presence of tourists, food service facilities like carinderia and ambulant vendors dispose of the food waste in shallow sand pits, while the irregular garbage collection has caused people to simply burn their garbage, the team noted.
With the problem, the team composed of Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CENRO, Environment Management Bureau of the Provincial Environment and Management Unit, Local Government Unit of Panglao and tourism stakeholders recommended a total ban on hog-raising in the island, while tourists visiting the island should bring their waste back to the mainland.
The team also recommended proper waste segregation and disposal, proper composting techniques, regular clean ups and regular garbage collection.
The team also recommended for the establishment of a materials recovery facility to cater to waste materials from carinderias, food stalls and households and the refurbishment of the un-operational waste water treatment facility in the island. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)
