DENR Zambales warns beach resorts of closure

IBA, ZAMBALES – If beach resort owners here continue to fail to comply with environmental laws, their operations may suffer the same fate as that of their Boracay counterparts.

This was the stern warning aired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Zambales Director Laudemir S Salac, who has launched what he described as “a pro-active convergent action against implementation of environment policies” to preventdegradation of environment.

Salac recently led his pilot team in monitoring resorts located along the Bangantalinga Beach in Iba, Zambales.

He pointed out that “the activity was conducted as pre-emptive measure, relative to the prevailing environmental degradation issue in Boracay caused by lenient enforcement of DENR and LGU policies.”

To further ensure its effectiveness, DENR Zambales has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the local government of Iba for this purpose.

The activity was graced by Iba town Mayor Rundstedt Jun Ebdane and participated in by Iba Planning officer Engr. Ventura, Iba Municipal Health Officer Dr. Raul Echipare, CENRO Jowell Dellosa, selected personnel from the PENRO and CENROMasinloc, and representatives from the EMB-III.

“It is good that we are doing this in advance. ‘Hindi yung pag huli na, ay ipasasara na kaagad (It’s not that when it’s too late, you order them closed). With this, we are giving them enough time to abide making it fair for them (resorts) also,” Ebdane said.

“We are more than willing to comply,” assured Vilma Mirador, Manager of Palmera Garden Resort, one of the resorts inspected.

The pilot sites of the surprise monitoring were the Palmera Garden Beach Resort and the Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center, two of the biggest Resorts in Iba.

Salac said his team monitored these resorts’ waste disposal practices, sanitary and sewage facilities, and the observance of the 20m easement.