Senators express concern over dredging damage in Luzon coastal areas

Senators on Tuesday expressed their concern over the irreversible environmental damage caused by dredging activities in several coastal areas in Luzon.

Members of the upper chamber expressed openness to the proposed Senate inquiry that would look into the various risks brought by the rampant dredging activities guised as river restoration by some local government units.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, in a privilege speech, sought the support of his colleagues in looking into the dangers posed by dredging activities in the provinces of Zambales and Occidental Mindoro.

He stressed the irreversible damage caused by dredging to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity, which has affected the livelihood of fisherfolk in the area and the tourism industry of the provinces.

"Kaya para na po akong sirang plaka pag dating sa dredging.  Ang daming committee hearings, at budget hearings na kinwestyon ko ang ilang dredging activities.  Nagsimula po ito noong lumapit sa aking opisina ang ilang concerned citizens ng Zambales na na-alarma sa tuluy-tuloy na dredging activities na sinasagawa sa kanilang bayan," he said.

"Mr. President, ang pinaka nangangamba sa mga dredging operations na ito ay ang ating mga mangingisda.  But despite the importance of the Philippine coastal fishing sector.  They are not protected from these dredging operations," he added.

Tulfo said while he fully understands there are several circumstances where dredging is necessary—including the maintenance of waterways for ships and the removal of pollutants—excessive dredging can lead to irreversible environmental harm.

To address the problem, Tulfo said he is set to file a bill that would establish policies to limit sand extraction directly from beaches.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the continuous illegal black sand mining has a “triple whammy” effect on the country.

Lacson said the first is the environmental impact caused by the destruction of coral reefs.

The second is the economic impact, due to the negative effects on the livelihoods of fisherfolk, he said.

The third, he added, is the security threat, wherein the very sand being taken from the country is allegedly being used by China for reclamation and the construction of artificial islands.

Senator Loren Legarda manifested her full support for Tulfo's speech regarding the ongoing problem of illegal black sand mining, which involves serious environmental damage.

According to Legarda, these illegal activities cause coastal erosion and the steady destruction of the livelihoods of small fisherfolk who depend on healthy near-shore ecosystems.

She insisted that accountability must extend beyond private operators; local government units that allow, tolerate, or fail to prevent these activities within their jurisdictions should also be held to account.

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to immediately act on the continuous dredging operations along the coasts of Zambales that have clearly affected the livelihoods of fisherfolk and the health of the province’s marine resources.

In his manifestation during the plenary session, Tulfo said that allowing these activities to continue without clear accountability would mean failure on the part of the government to defend the welfare of the people and the nation’s right to a balanced and healthy ecology.

-Paraluman News