The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the environmental rehabilitation of El Nido is “on track,” citing improvements in water infrastructure and solid waste management aligned with recommendations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The DILG earlier directed the municipalities of El Nido and Coron in Palawan, along with Siargao in Surigao del Norte, Panglao in Bohol, and Boracay in Aklan, to prepare six-month rehabilitation plans covering waste management, tourism development, and security and health measures.
In a statement Friday, the DILG commended El Nido for progress in its comprehensive program, noting projects such as nine communal septic tanks and a sanitary landfill in Barangay New Ibajay.
It also reported that 444 of the town’s 894 commercial establishments are now connected to the sewage treatment plant, with 91 more awaiting approval. At the same time, the agency issued 97 notices of violations to businesses failing to comply with regular water quality testing.
The department said El Nido’s rehabilitation is part of wider efforts to address environmental stress in major tourism sites while ensuring sustainable development.
