Almost half of Boracay’s wastes is biodegradable

TOURISTS pass by a hotel in Boracay Island which remains closed even after its reopening on Oct 26, 2018 due to alleged violations of environmental laws

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) emphasized that waste management in the newly rehabilitated Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan should be the every person’s concern.

Engr. Rowen Gelonga, DOST-Western Visayas director, said different stakeholders, especially tourists, should help lessen wastes generated in the island.

“Waste management should be the business of everyone. Local government units, operators of tourism facilities, and more importantly the tourist themselves should be involved,” Gelonga said.

Apart from providing trainings and livelihood activities for displaced communities, Gelonga said the long-term involvement of the DOST is addressing the waste management issues in Boracay.

“DOST was also one of the many agencies that provided trainings and livelihood activities for the displaced communities but ang long term talaga na tulong ng DOST is addressing waste management issues in Boracay which was the number one reason why it was closed down in the first place,” he added.

Based on the Waster Assessment Study (WAS) conducted in Boracay, 40% of the wastes in the island are biodegradable.

Hence, DOST has been helping in putting up bioreactors for solid waste management, Gelonga added.

Bioreactors are devices that convert biodegradable wastes into composts.

Six Bioreactor units will be placed at a sanitary landfill in Brgy. Cabulhan, Malay, Aklan.

Also, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) will introduce effective micro-organism (EM) through training courses that teach participants how to produce compost using EM.

The DOST is also providing consultancy projects on waste minimization or cleaner production.

“We have deployed consultants on what we call as waste minimization and ang concept niyais that you generate waste and at the same time you process and manage it. Consultants will be deployed to look at procedures and activities and then come up with recommendations on how to minimize it,” he stated.

Gelonga added that with this kind of consultancy service, they have already covered several resorts and food processing companies in the island.

“It’s a holistic approach. We look into minimizing waste and pag may dumaan na waste it will be forwarded to either the Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or landfill,” Gelonga said.

The DOST also reminded stakeholders of the responsibility of the tourists to sustain the island.

“It is very imperative for local stakeholders to start campaigning active involvement of tourists in maintaining Boracay as a very good tourism destination for the country,” he noted.

Boracay Island was opened to guests and visitors on October 26 after its six months of rehabilitation.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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