By (PNA)
Tagbilaran City – Garbage now litter the once unspoiled Virgin Island, prompting the Bohol provincial government to call on the local government of Panglao to stop ignoring its blatant degradation.
A team sent by Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto discovered the island's dismal state during an inspection a seafood market there last month.
The inspection team included acting Bohol Environment Management Office head Jovencia Ganub, Maria Villa Pelindingue of the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) unit, Melanie del Valle of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) unit of the provincial government, ESWM focal person Manuel Fudolin, some personnel from Panglao Bantay Dagat, and Process Foundation executive director Emilia Roslinda, representing the non-government organization or the civil society organization.
The team presented its findings and recommendations at the board meeting of the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC) April 26 at the People's Mansion here.
The team found 11 food stalls with tables and chairs and portable stoves, with some using firewood to cook food ordered by the guests.
“Seafood served include fish (tuna, grouper, emperor fish), fresh shells like abalone and spider shells locally known as saang, squid, sea cucumber, sea urchin and seaweeds,” the team reported.