A beautiful sunset and the huge cross at the sunken cemetery in Camiguin Island province provide a magnificent tableau for tourists on the boats. MindaNews file photo by Erwin Mascariñas
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By BEN BALCE
Staff member .

STARTING today, the so-called “Roro” vessels plying the Camiguin-Balingoan route would no longer be allowed to operate unless the owners could provide septic tanks in the vessels.

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“(Failure) to do so starting Monday (March 11), dili na sila makabyahe,” announced Mambajao, Camiguin Mayor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo told local radio.

Romualdo said the move is in line with the rehabilitation program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said the government is putting in place sanitation systems apart from engaging in the clean-up of designated waterways, reducing discharges from houses, and establishments and repairing leaks in old sewer lines.

“Their operations will (be) shutdown for being sources of pollutive wastewater in the bay,” said Romualdo, adding that the “Roros” (roll on, roll off shipping companies) operating in Camiguin generate as much as P200 million a year.

“Septic tanks are only worth P2 million, hindi nila ma-provide?” Romualdo asked.

Romualdo said even vessels solely for wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars should also have proper septic tanks.

He said he has already asked the Maritime Industry Authority and the Coast Guard to enforce the order so that wastes from these vessels would not be discharged into the seawaters.

“Reportedly, sa likod pa gyud sa Mantigue Island nila gilalabay ang ilang hugaw,” Romualdo said.

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