DENR Demolition Orders In PG – New Developments

Business People in Puerto Galera are very concerned with the recent wave of Demolition Orders, served by DENR recently for violation of building structures within the easement zone, which is 3 meter in rural areas like Sabang, and 20 meter in not rural sites like Barangay Sto. Nino.

Thirteen establishments has been served with such orders in Barangay Sabang  2 weeks ago, giving them 30 days time to comply. Luckily, Puerto Galera is not threatened with full closure like Boracay Island as the new Administration of PG under the leadership of Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan started immediately after the last election to address the environmental issues of his town. Being born and raised in Sabang Beach, he knew all too good about the intolerable environmental  situation there.

Two decades ago, Mayor Teo Atienza had already plans on his table to build a Sewerage Water Treatment system, so had his successor Mayor Hubbert A. Dolor, unfortunately, non of the former Mayor was able to make it happen. The environmental abuse continued without any considerable action from the LGU.

That all changed under Mayor RDI, one of the first things the new administration has done was to identify the problems and to find solutions. One of the most pressing issues where the coli-form infestation within the waters of Puerto Galera. “What we need is a solution, and the only way we can resolve it is a proper SWT” so RDI.

Money, Know How and the political will was needed, and it was needed fast. Not knowing, that the – back then also new – administration under President Duterte would be so rigorous and strict with implementing rules and regulations to assure the environmental sustainability of our tourism spots within the country, the Municipal Mayors Office ordered to call in a technical working group and, to start immediately to resolve that problem. Plans have been made, experts have been called in and countless working hours later, the solution was on the table. Mayor RDI went out -like so many times for so many problems- to get the necessary funding’s from the national government, with success. The plans for the SWT for Sabang Beach impressed, the Mayor got his 100 Mio peso to make it happen.

What has that all got to do with the above mentioned demolition orders?

Quite a lot! The only way to get the SWT done is to build it close to the pier in Sabang, and to hide the pipes underneath a new to build Boardwalk along the shore in Sabang. In order to do so, the LGU need to reclaim about 5 meter into the Ocean. This 5 additional meters might just save the affected Businesses, and it just might be the solution to prevent the demolition from happening. Mayor Ilagan went to Manila today, May 7, 2018 to discuss that possible scenario with the Regional Director DENR-EMB MIMAROPA Engr. Maria Socorro A. Abu and Assistant Regional Director DENR MIMAROPA Tuddao. Both are seeing the Mayors point, but ask RDI to hand in a request letter so the DENR and the multi agency task team can reconsider.

“We will discuss that possibility with the affected stakeholder as soon as i am back in Puerto Galera. It makes no sense to measure the distances for the easement zone, when the easement zone will actually move further away from the buildings because of the SWT and boardwalk construction in Sabang. They (DENR) see our point, and i have a very good feeling that we might get the demolition orders lifted. Fingers crossed.” so Mayor Ilagan to Fortnightly earlier today.

You are a Rockstar RDI.