OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) 7 are currently in Bantayan Island to conduct verification of structures in the shorelines there.
The verification is conducted as part of the DENR 7’s ongoing clearing of illegal structures within the 20-meter easement zone as provided by Presidential Decree 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines.
Led by DENR 7 Director Gilbert Gonzales, the team initially conducted verification within the shorelines of Barangays Pooc and Talisay in Santa Fe town.
Aside from Gonzales, also present during the verification operation were Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office officer-in-charge Jose Cleo Cary Colis, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Cebu City Head Raul Pasoc and DENR 7 Enforcement Division Chief Viernov Grefalde.
Aside from the shoreline inspection, Gonzales was also in Santa Fe attending to a stakeholders’ forum organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Bantayan Island Chapter (CCCI-BIC) and Bantayan Island Layers and Hog Raisers Association (BILHRA) concerning industry issues.
Last June, the DENR 7 recommended the demolition of more than 1,000 illegal structures in the coastlines of the towns of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.
The DENR initially sent notices of violation to owners of 22 illegal structures in Santa Fe, 700 illegal structures in Bantayan town, and 400 illegal structures in Madridejos.
Majority of the owners of the structures violated PD 1067, which prohibits the construction of structures inside easement zones (JKV)