DENR stops beach excavation in Northern Samar

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped the excavation of a sand embankment along a beach area in Bonbon town in Northern Samar province, following objections from local residents who feared that they would be exposed to strong waves and possible storm surges.

Located in Barangay Magsaysay, the embankment is approximately 225 meters from the shoreline with an elevation of 20 meters above sea level.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Northern Samar OIC Angelito Villanueva said that while the embankment was within alienable and disposable land and has a private owner, scraping a portion of its land poses danger to the coastal communities. The environmental office ruled that the activity was illegal because no environmental permit was secured for the demolition. —Jhesset O. Enano