The coastal waters of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) are free from contamination of E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, according to IGaCoS Vice Mayor Orly Amit.
Amit said that he is happy with the result of the monitoring conducted by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), proving that Samal is still safe for swimming.
“I’m happy to note that DENR had already established 16 stations surrounding the island,” he said on Saturday.
The vice mayor, also an environmentalist, had been pushing for the monitoring of the coastal waters of IGaCos, prior to the shutdown of Boracay Island, as per order of President Duterte, after calling the island a “cesspool” due to the high level of E. coli bacteria.
Amit said that the heavy rains experienced in the island pose a problem, for there have been instances wherein animal wastes from livestock industry farms and households are carried by running water towards the island’s coastline.
He also said that the local government unit and the DENR have conducted a series of meetings with resort owners to discuss the waste water treatment in the island. The vice mayor said almost all registered resorts near and along coastline were called to the consultations.
“In fact, DENR ordered that all structures, including comfort rooms (CRs) near the easement are no longer allowed,” Amit said.
He said that the local government will continuously monitor the island, especially that construction of the Davao-Samal Bridge is seriously being considered, a development that would surely bringing more tourists and potential polluters to the island.
