DENR Acts on Environmental Concerns in 5 Tourist Spots

Regarding the environmental concerns of local chief executives in their localities,

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga
holds a meeting with Cabinet members on January 14, 2024 to execute immediate attention to the
issue.
Present were the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary
Benjamin Abalos, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco, and Department of
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
Along with them were the local chief executives from the five Green Economy Model (GEM)
sites – El Nido and Coron in Palawan, Panglao in Bohol, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro and
Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.
The five GEMs, prime tourist destinations in the country, are currently being monitored by
national government agencies and the DENR for their water resource management, solid waste
management, land use planning and enforcement of easement zones, and public-private
partnerships.
Loyzaga stated that the DENR will continue to collaborate with national government
agencies as well as the LGUs in the implementation of programs to convey the problem of solid
waste and plastic pollution.
This includes initiatives like the 60-million-euro Green Economy Program, which was
carried out in conjunction with the nation’s development partners.
During the meeting, DILG Secretary Abalos voiced concerns about the prospect of a
temporary ban in beach areas in these GEM sites, drawing comparison to the rehabilitation of
Boracay Island.