By Minerva Bc Newman
Cebu City – The waters of Panglao Island in Bohol remain still safe for swimming and other tourism activities, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
According to the DENR-EMB 2017 Panglao Coastal Water Quality Status Report, coliform level in Panglao dropped to 284.15mpn/1000ml during the fourth quarter of 2017 and even lower in the third quarter at only 116.94mpn, way below the DENR-EMB standard of 1000mpn/1000ml.
Engr. Cindylyn Pepito of EMB-7 clarified during her presentation that “Not everything about coliform is negative, except for the fecal coliform. We even have coliform in our tummy which helps in digestion,” said Engr. Cindylyn Pepito of EMB-7.
The level of fecal coliform is the important parameter to determine the water quality of a body of water, she explained.
The DENR-EMB 2017 report also showed a sustained decline in the fecal coliform levels: 305.70mpn/100ml in the first quarter; 277.20mpn, second quarter; 87.31mpn, third quarter; and 77.59mpn, fourth quarter.
According to EMB-7 regional director William Cunado, the major contributing culprits for the coastal water coliform is the absence of waste water treatment facilities, substandard septage or septic systems, and non-compliance to and loose enforcement of sanitation and environmental laws and guidelines.
Cunado said only 33 Panglao resorts, hotels, accommodation establishments and related facilities are with waste water dispatch permits.
We already sent notices to 90 environmental violators who will be called to a “massive technical conference” early next month, he added.