Address environment, public health issues, DILG tells LGUs of top tourist spots of PH
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on the local chief executives (LCE) of El Nido, Coron, Siargao, Panglao and Boracay to enforce concrete measures to address pressing issues regarding environmental and public health issues.
The five areas, which are all popular tourist destinations, are known as the five GEMs (green economy models).
In a statement, the DILG noted that it will review the “implementation status of the action plans submitted by local government units (LGUs) of the five major tourist island destinations,’’ to assess the pertinent concerns.
Further, the DILG stressed that the said LGUs should establish strategies to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve the water quality of waterways and other bodies of water in their areas.
Earlier, the five GEMs submitted six-month rehabilitation action plans to the DILG, outlining strategies for liquid and solid waste management, tourism development, peace and order, and the handling of health-related concerns.
“Copies of the plans have been forwarded to relevant government agencies for appropriate action,’’ the DILG noted.
Since last year, the DILG has been working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), and LGUs to coordinate strategies addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing the five island destinations.
The DILG maintained that the initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. to position the Philippines as a premier tourist destination in Asia.