The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stands firm on its decision requiring establishments in Boracay to put up sewerage treatment plants (STPs), either individually or in cluster, to ensure that all wastewater have undergone appropriate treatment prior to their discharge into the sea. This was despite complaints made by local businessmen over the high cost of building STPs, which could be more than 12 million. “The President’s order has always been to give premium to the environment rather than to economic gains. Therefore, the STP is non-negotiable. It is one of the primary requirements for the opening of Boracay,” DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said.

Miraflor, M. B. (2018, August 29). DENR will not relax STP requirement in Boracay Island. Manila Bulletin, p. B-4.