By: Dante M. Salvaña
IBA, ZAMBALES — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Zambales is intensifying coordination with the provincial government and other concerned agencies to address coastal accretion and unauthorized structures, particularly as typhoons continue to affect coastal areas in the province.
DENR Zambales Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Marife Castillo said the provincial government recently convened an inter-agency meeting to clarify the responsibilities of government offices involved in addressing the accretion concern.
Castillo said the issue requires a coordinated response involving the DENR, Department of Tourism (DOT), local government units (LGUs), the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), and other concerned agencies.
“This is an inter-agency concern,” Castillo said, noting that the agencies need to clearly define their respective responsibilities in addressing the issue and monitoring affected areas.
The DENR is also coordinating the implementation of a Supreme Court decision involving portions of the unclassified public domain in San Felipe, San Narciso and Botolan, Zambales, which are subject to government protection and proper management.
DENR Regional Director Ralph Pablo has emphasized the need for sustained coordination and enforcement to ensure that public-domain areas are properly managed and protected in accordance with environmental and land-management laws.
Meanwhile, Castillo confirmed that the DENR is continuing its investigation into an unauthorized construction activity discovered during an earlier inspection in San Narciso.
She said the administrative proceeding remains ongoing, while DENR personnel are also gathering evidence for a possible criminal case.
The identified site is currently the only ongoing construction activity where enforcement personnel seized construction equipment during the inspection, according to Castillo.
The DENR said enforcement and monitoring activities will continue in coordination with the provincial government, LGUs and other agencies to prevent unauthorized development and protect areas covered by government regulations and the Supreme Court ruling.
The strengthened inter-agency approach is expected to improve monitoring, clarify agency responsibilities and ensure that government interventions remain coordinated, particularly during periods of severe weather and changing coastal conditions.