By Ruben A. Veloria
ZAMBALES, Philippines – The provincial government of this province had again warned the public against illegal construction of any permanent structures over accretion land, especially along coastal areas of Zambales.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. issued the warning a midst continuous southwest monsoon brings moderate to heavy rains, and choppier sea waters with wave heights picking up to 2-2.5 meters which is expected to cause severe sand erosion in coastal areas.
Gov. Ebdane said that the since 2008, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the local government units of San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan and Botolan, put up permanent warning signs informing that the area was declared danger zone and construction of any permanent structures are illegal and poses danger to lives and properties.
“The resort owners refused to admit the legal truth about the land they acquired through illegal means, and the law of nature that the sea will always take back whatever belongs to the sea,” the official said.
There are now 2,000 illegal private resorts in the area. Meanwhile, Provincial Environment (PENRO) Officer Atty. Marife Castillo clarified that pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-13, the Zambales River Restoration Project authorizes dredging operations in heavily silted river channels of Bucao, Maloma, and Sto. Tomas Rivers only, and not in the sea directly in front of residential homes.
Atty. Castillo also clarified that based on the daily monitoring conducted by PENRO, the seventeen dredging vessels did not operate simultaneously on any single day or within any given month.
Most of the vessels remain at sea while waiting for their turn to enter the mouth of the river. This is because of the limited space of the river channel for which the vessels could maneuver.
The monitored dredging vessels operate only within the designated River Dredging Zones (RDZ) and within the estuary, and did not extend to the coastal area.
Residents may hear the sounds from the engines which remain running even merely waiting on the cue. Atty. Castillo, assured the public that PENRO continues to conduct daily monitoring to ensure all environmental regulations are strictly followed, in an effort to promote transparency and public participation.
And encouraged the public to document alleged improper dredging through photos and videos and report it directly to PENRO office.
Meanwhile, Zambales Provincial Consultant for Development and Infrastructure Engr. Domingo Mariano said that after consultation with the multi-sectoral Zambales Provincial Foreshore Lease Management Council, the provincial government ordered to stop all construction, and bringing in construction materials inside the accretion areas, to prevent more damages to properties and ensure the safety of the public.
LGU chief executives were also asked to remind their municipal assessors, tourism officers, building and building permit officials to monitor illegal construction in the area, and to identify the people who sold and facilitated the sell of accretion lands to private individuals.
