Thirteen more Bantayan resorts eyed for demolition

CEBU, Philippines - Thirteen more beach resorts in Bantayan Island are being eyed for demolition after initial inspection and inventory by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed these resorts have also violated the Water Code of the Philippines for building structures within the 20-meter from the shore easement zone.

These 13 others were apart from the six that DENR-7 have started demolishing by virtue of the writ of execution on the order promulgated by Regional Trial Court judge Marilyn Yap.

The order dated August 25, 2009 mandated the demolition and removal of illegal structures found in Abaniko Beach Resort, Tickety Boo Beach Resort, Yoonek Beach Resort, Kota Beach Resort, Marlin Beach Resort and St. Bernard Beach Resort.

The demolition started last Saturday at the Marlin Beach Resort where the demolition team destroyed a concrete seawall and five kiosks.

Today, the team is set to demolish the constructed seawall, five kiosks, concrete fence and two rest houses in Kota Beach Resort.

DENR Regional Public Affairs Officer Eddie Llamedo said they intend to finish the demolition of the illegal structures built by these six resorts by Friday this week.

Llamedo said that during the initial inventory they conducted in Bantayan Island, they found 13 other beach resorts that have structures built within the 20-meter easement zone that is supposedly available for public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, fishing and salvage.

He said they will conduct another inventory, this time including all islands and islets in Central Visayas, to confirm these 13 beach resorts and find other establishments violating environmental laws.

Once they have the necessary evidence, DENR will be filing a petition before the court to issue a Writ of Kalikasan that will authorize them to demolish illegal structures along the shore.

Llamedo said that resorts that are already aware of their violation are encouraged to do their adjustments before DENR demolishes them to lessen the incurred damage.

The estimated damage for the six beach resorts mentioned is pegged at P3 million. Tickety Boo beach resort has the largest damage at P1.5 million.

Marlin Beach Resort, the first resort demolished has temporarily closed until such time they will be able to rehabilitate their area by doing the necessary adjustments on their structures.

The petitioner for the removal of the illegal structures on these six resorts cite environmental, scientific and sanitary reasons why the beaches and seashores should be kept open. (THE FREEMAN)