MANILA - A senator on Friday inspected resorts in Boracay island hours before the chamber holds a public hearing on alleged violations of environmental laws by some establishments.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the environment committee, inspected about 3 resorts for their compliance with the 25+5 meters no-build easement zone from the shore and the connection to the island's sewage treatment plant.

After visiting a resort which was posted a notice of violation for encroaching the easement zone, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Director Jim Sampulna assured the lawmaker that the portion of the resort will be removed soon.

Villar also inspected the treatment plant of the Boracay Island Water Company, the material recovery facility of the island in Sitio Bung-aw, Brgy. Manoc-manoc, and the wetland area of the island to check the storm water impounded area.

She will later be joined by Senators Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, and Miguel Zubiri for a public hearing, where stakeholders such as resort owners and residents are invited to join.

Villanueva last month sought an investigation on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' issuance of environmental compliance certificates to several establishments on the holiday island despite reported violations of environmental laws.

• Senator seeks probe on DENR permits issuance amid Boracay crackdown

Officials of the environment, tourism and interior and local government departments on Thursday held an aerial inspection of Boracay island.

The cleanup in the island famous for its fine white sand and blue waters came after President Rodrigo Duterte cited its sewage problems, calling it a "cesspool" and threatening to shut it down.

• Duterte slams Boracay as ‘cesspool,’ threatens to shut down island

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said negligence on the part of government officials was the reason why the island is now facing a possible 60-day closure. - with reports from Sherrie Ann Torres and Nony Basco, ABS-CBN News

• Boracay faces possible 60-day closure: Año