By Ruben A. Veloria
IBA, Zambales, Philippines – The Provincial Government of Zambales is planning to declare the famous and tourists’ favorite destination Liwliwa and parts of the coastal-tourism area in the municipality of San Felipe as danger zone.
The plan was a result of consultation during the meeting of Zambales Provincial Foreshore Lease Management Council (ZPFLMC), where discussed the current status of the beach resorts in the town of San Felipe, particularly Sitio Liwliwa.
Members of the Council includes representatives from DENR-EMB, DENR-CENRO, DENR-PENRO, PNP, Philippine Army, LGU San Narciso, LGU San Felipe, Provincial Eng’g Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Zambales Resort Owners Association, Liga ng mga Barangay, and government line agencies.
In the recent survey, a number of concrete structures, such as residential houses and hotels, in Liwliwa, were washed away by the sea during the enhanced south monsoon and two tropical cyclones last month.
The permanent structures were built in the accretion areas which were ”reclaimed” by the sea.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., said the structures were washed away, but the concrete foundations, the steel bars and other materials remain submerged in the water unseen by beach goers.
”They remain a threat to every one swimming in the area,” he added.
Through the recommendation of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO), and Municipal Tourism Office, Gov. Ebdane is considering declaring Liw-liwa as a danger zone. ”Temporarily, until such time that all debris and hazardous materials were removed from under the water,” he added.
In San Narciso, the ZPFLMC recommended to condemn the coastal road which was also severely damaged during the monsoon and now play hazard to the public.
New permanent structures were reported already appearing in the area. PENRO Marife Castillo informed the members of ZPFLMC that 1,071 occupants of the accretion area in Bgy, Sto. Nino, Amagna, and La Paz, including Liwliwa, were issued Notice of Violations (illegal construction, no building permit, no ECC, clean air act, among others).
Despite this, illegal settlers continue to grow and construct buildings illegally.
