After earlier referring to resort destination Boracay as a “cesspool” and ordering the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to get a handle of the ongoing pollution problem in six months or risk being shut down, President Rodrigo Duterte said he may file “serious neglect of duty” against local officials.

While speaking in Cebu City yesterday, where he met with governors and mayors from the Visayas and Mindanao, the president addressed local officials from the island located within the jurisdiction of Malay, Aklan, saying, “You allowed buildings to be constructed without proper sewerage.”

“You created a disaster,” he added.

Last year, after the DENR Environmental Management Bureau and the Community Environment Office-Boracay issued notices to 12 establishments after it was discovered pipes were being illegally connected to storm drains, which were supposed to be utilized to collect rainwater, DENR-6 Director Jim Sampulna recommended DOT-6 and the Malay municipal government to rescind permits for Boracay hotels, resorts, and restaurants that violate environmental policies.

Duterte also reiterated plans to shut down Boracay, affirming, “Either they clean it up or I will close it permanently.”

In response to Duterte’s ultimatum, the Boracay chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier expressed hope it will jump start efforts to clean up the island.

“All of us here in Boracay wanted a healthier and good island,” said local Chamber of Commerce President Elena Brugger. “We hope that things will really happen and will be put into action.”/PLL, WDJ