By Ruben Veloria- Correspondent
ZAMBALES, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reaffirmed that the erosion and attrition being observe in the coastal towns here cannot be attributed to dredging activities in three river systems of the province.
DENR- Region III Executive Director Ralph Pablo explained that there isn’t any report of erosion linking to dredging activity in any of the major river system: Maloma River, Sto. Tomas River and Maculcol River.
The reaffirmation was made in response to inquiry of the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda based on the allegations of a certain Rachelle Harrisson that continuous dredging in Sto. Tomas River has caused severe damage to the livelihood of the local residents.
A member of a non-government organization claiming to be environmentalists, Harrisson alleged that more than 50 resorts and houses were eroded and washed out to the sea, because of the dredging activity. Also she claimed that dredging has turned into commercial utilization or quarrying of sands and other minerals.
“The coastal movement, which damaged coastal structures are 800 meters away from the Sto. Tomas River, and can be considered as isolated to the subject, as no other coastal disturbance to the dredging site was observed.” Pablo said, adding that the concrete structures may have been damaged due to unstable soil condition.
A comparative analysis using the 1997 National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) Topographic Map and satellite imagery from 2004 to 2024 indicates that the San Felipe coastline, most evident in Sitio Liwliwa, experienced a general trend of shoreline accretion, extending approximately 100 meters to one kilometer seaward from its pre-eruption position.
However, despite the general pattern of coastal accretion and erosion remain active during the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat, season, and accretion during the southwest monsoon or amihan season.
As for the allegations that 50 resorts and houses eroded and washed out to the sea, investigation revealed that the damaged structures were illegally constructed inside the danger zone. Notices of Violation were issued to individuals identified by DENR team that constructed the resorts and houses from 2023 to 2025, he said.
Pablo added that in a Joint Memorandum Circular 1 Series of 2019 which provides the guidelines for dredging that involves commercial utilization of dredged materials, states that it is not unlawful as long as regulatory prerequisites are fulfilled, and work programs are followed.
The memorandum was signed and issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, and the DENR.
Pablo noted that the river dredging in Zambales is being conducted “at no cost” to the government, however, the inter-agency council conducts regular monitoring of the dredging ensuring that it complies with the policies required.
The DENR said Shuaful Resources Inc., which conducts dredging activity, is a legitimate dredging operator whose expertise is authorized under DAO 2019-13 to undertake river restoration activities along heavily-silted Sto. Tomas River.
