Gov. Gwen Garcia is expected to issue a cease and desist order for at least two mountain resorts in Carmen town in northern Cebu for various violations of environmental laws.
The governor came up with the decision after she learned that Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort, located in Brgy. Corte; and Middle Earth Mountain Resort, located in Brgy. Lower Natimao-an, have been found by the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB 7) to have built concrete structures within the mandatory 20-meter easement zone of Luyang River.
She also ordered for the demolition of such structures, especially the pools, in order to allow the water to flow freely for the benefit of water consumers who are experiencing water scarcity at this time of the year.
Engr. Mary Ann Bueno, chief of the Environmental Impact Assessment Section of EMB 7, told Gov. Gwen Garcia in a meeting on May 2, that such structures include at least eight pools for Durano Eco Park and at least two for Middle Earth Mountain Resort, not to mention cottages and other amenities for their guests.
Engr. Bueno led a joint inspection between EMB 7 and the Capitol PENRO on April 29-30 on the said upstream barangays of Carmen in a bid to help maximize the water production of Luyang River, which currently supplies at least 35 million liters of water daily to Metro Cebu through the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) despite the prolonged drought.
The inspection team identified multiple breaches of environmental laws, including the absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as mandated under Presidential Decree 1586, the lack of a valid discharge permit and an accredited pollution control officer as required by the Clean Water Act (RA 9275), and violations concerning the management of hazardous wastes under RA 6969.
These resorts were found to have diverted the water of the river into their mini-pools and then discharge the same back into the river without proper treatment. Engr. Bueno revealed to 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 that following their adverse findings, a Notice of Violation was issued against the resort operators by EMB Region 7 director Ma. Victoria Abrera.
The resort operator present posed no contention to the governor’s orders, admitting that they were really at fault. He even expressed willingness to spearhead the demolition of the pools and cottages along the easement of Luyang.
“Kon imo man gani nang ipadayon, you might as well do it right,” Gov. Gwen said.
This intervention underscores the Capitol’s commitment not only to enhancing the water supply to meet the growing needs of Metro Cebu but also to ensuring that environmental laws are upheld to protect Cebu’s natural resources. | JT