Gov’t. suggests ways to prevent erosion in Sta. Fe

THERE may be some structures along the coastline of Santa Fe town on Bantayan Island that are needed to prevent sand erosion, according to an environment agency official.

Richard Abella, Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer (Penro), told Sun.Star Cebu that during the conduct of delineation and survey activities in the town, they found houses and other structures within the 20-meter easement zone.

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“Delineation is the identification of the easement zone, we have seen structures along the shore. But these will not yet be demolished,” he said.

“There were people who asked me what they can do about this. I tell them that if the court will have the same decision as the original order, then we will have to demolish the structures. But they can also do it themselves,” he added.

He was referring to the court order issued by Mandaue Regional Trial Court branch 28 Judge Marilyn Lagura-Yap last Aug. 25, 2009, directing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office to demolish and/or remove illegal structures built by six resorts along the shore of Santa Fe town.

Illegal

The structures were deemed a violation of the 20-meter easement zone as stated in the Water Code of the Philippines.

The decision was handed down on the petition for patrimonial malpractice, mandamus and damages directed against a DENR staffer filed by environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay laureate Antonio Oposa Jr. and other Bantayan Island residents.

Yap said the Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) should not be issued until the DENR 7 has prepared a Protected Area Management Plan.

Abella said the court granted them a 60-day extension to finish the delineation and survey activities as well as formulate the management plan.

However, Abella said some structures might not be removed because these are needed.

Some of the walls function as foreshore barriers, these are used to stop sand erosion.

Ready

In a separate interview, Protected Area Supt. Vicente Calisar said they were already able to survey 8 kms. of the coastline along Santa Fe town. The team included Engr. Calington Catadman from the Forest Management Bureau.

Calisar pointed out that there are alternatives available for residents and resort owners who wish to control sand erosion, by building foreshore barriers in front of their properties.

He showed Sun.Star Cebu fishnets that were affixed with dead corals and sea shells that were placed along the shore of barangay Baigad, Santa Fe town.

Local use

The net lines are used by local fishermen, these are placed parallel to the shoreline with a distance of two meters between each line.

These are left in the water overnight to help catch fish, shrimps and other marine species.

“It is an accidental find, I thought it one person’s initiative to leave this here.

You can see how the nets hold the sand and kept from eroding,” said Calisar.

“The problem with this contraption the exact area where this can be placed, so that it can help the people from losing sand in front of their houses here,” he added.