ZAMBALES resort owners and fishermen have expressed dismay over the proposed construction of a private jetty port at the boundaries of San Narciso and San Felipe towns.
“I heard about the planned port here and if it will be built, we will no longer be able to fish peacefully, which is our main source of livelihood. Many will be affected, “ Leonardo Falsario, a 43 year old fisherman, said.
Born and raised in San Narciso, Falsario owns a small fishing boat. He said he is voicing out the sentiment of fellow fishermen in the coastal barangay of La Paz who vowed to oppose the planned port project because of its expected adverse impact to their livelihood, and the environment as well.
They fear that the project will affect the natural flow of the Araos River and cause flooding in their community.
“We will protest this move because even our tourism industry such as surfing and swimming will also be destroyed by this project,” Falsario stressed.
Grace Tejada, 53, whose way of life is catching bangus fries by the seashore, also expressed her opposition to the planned port.
“We will oppose this port because fishing is our only means of livelihood and we cannot allow them to destroy our pristine fishing grounds.”
Tejada’s husband, Randy, shares his wife’s sentiments. “That’s not a good plan, the people here will lose their livelihood,” he said.
They claimed that the Office of Mayor Leo John M. Farrales allegedly issued an authorization dated April 14, 2021 to a certain Allan Nuqui of AGN Trading and Arthur Ong of Mines Flowing Construction to “rehabilitate the creek along San Rafael, San Felipe, Zambales going to West Philippine sea for mitigation and disaster preparedness to prevent flooding during rainy season.”
The clearance also stated that the private companies are implementing the rehabilitation project “at their own expense,” which is “in preparation for the approved application for a jetty port in the area.”
Marlita Santos, punong barangay of San Felipe, Zambales, has also allegedly issued a clearance to the same companies dated March 10, 2021, “to rehabilitate the creek and construct a right of way going to the jetty port.”
Rachel Harrison, a resort owner in San Narciso said resort owners are condemning the San Felipe local government for allowing such project in San Narciso, Zambales.
The area is known as the fifth best surfing destination in the country.
The location of the proposed jetty port is called “Cloud 9,” which in surfing lingo, means the place where the exciting breaks and waves happen.
To put a jetty in Cloud 9 will alter the sea contour, which would affect the waves and the tourist, they said.
“We are questioning the illegal clearances issued by the local government of San Felipe. They have no authority to build a jetty port which will destroy San Narciso’s marine resources and sources of income for our fishermen and local businessmen,” Harrison said.
According to Harrison, the jetty port would only be used to make transporting black sand more economical.
“We will only support projects that endeavor to protect, preserve and enhance the environment. Clearing the lahar from the Sto. Tomas River might be a good thing, but not in a way where it both damages the environment and local livelihoods in one fell swoop! As citizens we expect the Mayor of San Narciso, the governor of Zambales and the Department of Environment and National Resources/national government to ensure the best interests of all in San Narciso are, at least, preserved and, hopefully, enhanced. Not to see them taken and controlled for the obvious benefit of parties in San Felipe.” Harrison stated.
Aside from the lovely beaches for surfing and sunsets, Zambales has been known as a haven for black sand miners from China.
The port in Sta. Cruz town that was used to transport black sand to China was closed after former President Aquino declared a blanket ban on black sand mining.
There are 5 major areas of black sand mining in Zambales, namely, San Marcelino, Candelaria, Masinloc, Sta. Cruz and Botolan.
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