SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been urged to issue a cease-and-desist order against the ongoing esplanade or road construction in Barangay Funda-Dalipe, this town, pending review of compliance with applicable laws.
The Amlig Antique Alliance headed by lawyer Rolly Pedrina has requested environment officer Merlinda Sargento to investigate the construction because “preliminary findings reveal alarming violations and risks to critical habitats, warranting immediate intervention.”
The group pointed out that the coastline from Barangay Madrangca to Barangay San Pedro is a documented turtle nesting site and construction activities “will bury and destroy these habitats.”
The laws supposedly being violated are Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act which prohibits habitat destruction of critically endangered species, and Republic Act No. 11038, or the Expanded NIPAS Act, which designates no-build-zones under protected landscapes.
Reports reaching Panay News indicate that the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) conducted an ocular inspection of the area yesterday.
The alliance also mentioned that the Funda-Dalipe Fisherfolk Association had formally opposed the project but the local government of the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista “failed to respond, disregarding DAO 2003-30’s mandate for public participation.”
Residents of adjoining barangays were also reportedly excluded from the consultations, in violation of DENR’s procedural guidelines on environmental impact assessment.
Pedrina also expressed alarm over violations of the fisheries code because the seawall will block boat passage during storms and will worsen flooding due to backflow during high tide./PN
