After it was reported three years of garbage was hauled from resort destination Boracay in a span of 23 days, both Senators Loren Legarda and Cynthia Villar expressed their doubts about the finding during a budget hearing last week. However, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region VI (DENR-6) Director Jim Sampulna affirms the report is accurate.

“It was done,” he insisted. “It was not an exaggerated report.”

The total amount of garbage was said to weigh between 20,000 and 30,000 kilograms.

Last June, after tourists and residents complained of a foul odor, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu warned the local government of Malay, Aklan to handle the garbage situation or face being brought before court.

Both Environmental Management Bureau Regional Director Ariel Gloria and DENR-Aklan Director Ivene Reyes affirmed the city government did not initially take action, despite multiple orders.

“It was only when Secretary Cimatu made the warning that Malay government acted,” said Sampulna./WDJ