DENR, LGU Sta. Fe and Ombudsman Visayas covenant signing at Sta. Fe, Bantayan, Cebu

Determined to prevent the destructive development along the coastal areas of the resort town of Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island in Cebu Province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7, Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and Local Government Unit of Sta. Fe, Bantayan represented by Sta. Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa vowed to comply and implement the environmental laws in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu.

This, after the three government offices signed the Covenant of Commitment to immediately implement the removal of illegal structures along the road right of way and along beachfronts encroaching the easement zone.

"The DENR Central Visayas is trying its best to face the challenge head on and make sure we prevent a repeat of Boracay here in the region. Aggressive enforcement activities are already being conducted in the islands of Mactan, Panglao and Bantayan and we are very happy that we are one with Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the Local Government partners in addressing this challenge," said DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor Jr.

Melicor added that LGU Sta. Fe will lead a taskforce joined by the DENR, Department of Tourism (DOT) , Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement demolition of illegal structures within easement zone.

Also, DENR 7 is set to conduct a water study to determine the carrying capacity for extractive development in the Bantayan Group of Islands to guide and assist the LGU in the management and protection of the island and its surrounding waters including its marine resources.

With the rise of the tourism industry especially in all famous beach destinations in Central Visayas, DENR 7 vowed to closely look into the sewage, solid wastes, foreshore, and all other environmental-related concern to ensure safe, secure and sustainable environment along the coast.