PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked resort owners in Barangay (village) Balaoi here to clear by the end of this month the foreshore areas they are illegally occupying.
An inspection conducted by the DENR and the Pagudpud local government on Dec. 5 last year showed that some of resort owners built permanent structures, including cottages, within the foreshore area or at least 20 meters from the seashore.
Presidential Decree No. 1067, or the Water Code of the Philippines, bans the building of any structure on the banks of rivers and shores of lakes or seas.
Juan de los Reyes, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the government issued a permit for the use of the foreshore area in Balaoi five years ago but this has since expired.
“After its expiration, there has not been any endeavor to apply for a lease or renewal of the permit,” said De los Reyes.
He said this prompted the DENR to call the attention of the owners of at least four resorts in Balaoi to “justify their unlawful actions and explain why no administrative action shall be filed against them.”
The town has at least 39 resorts but the initial inspection covered only four resorts whose owners were asked to process their foreshore lease applications.
De los Reyes said the resort owners were asked to submit a project proposal, local government certification on the development area’s adherence to the zoning ordinance, clearance from the Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways, barangay clearance, certification from the Philippine Tourism Authority and a photocopy of land ownership adjoining the foreshore area.
During the inspection last month, the DENR found that a resort zip line was built within the foreshore area while other resort owners put up cottages that crowded the foreshore area.
The DENR and local government inspection team also found that some resort owners placed “no parking” signs along the highway that passes through their establishments.
De los Reyes said any form of development in Pagudpud, whose pristine beaches have attracted tourists, should not degrade the environment.
“We hope to settle this issue without resorting to the forced demolition of structures. [We want to] ensure… [that the] operations of these beach resorts [will continue] in a lawful manner,” he said.
On Friday last week, Pagudpud officials held a dialogue with the resort owners and other tourism stakeholders to settle the issue. All agreed to clear the foreshore area until Jan. 31.
“Many of our constituents derive income from the ecotourism industry but there should always be a balance between progress and the preservation of the environment. We should always ensure cleanliness and never pollute our coastal resources,” said Corazon Espejo, Balaoi barangay chief. Leilanie Adriano, Inquirer Northern Luzon