An official of Zambales on Tuesday said Filipinos are working in dredging operations in the province.

Provincial Consultant on Engineering and Infrastructure Development Domingo Mariano, in a statement, said no Chinese or foreign company is involved in the river restoration program or dredging operations in major rivers in Zambales.

“We have not given permit to any Chinese company. We only have legitimate Filipino workers operating the dredging machines,” Mariano said.

Mariano added that no foreign ship is working on the program.

“These are Philippine ships and crew passed the scrutiny and approval of the Maritime Industry Authority,” he said, after a congressman sought an investigation over the foreign company’s reported dredging operations in Zambales. These operations have allegedly caused severe damage to private properties and the environment.

Mariano said dredging operations have resulted in significant benefits for Zambales residents. “No more houses damaged. No one needs to be rescued. The province got revenue income,” he said.

Sand extracted from Santo Tomas, Bucao, and Nacolcol Rivers were used in projects in Pasay City and Bulacan and other smaller projects.

A provincial resolution said all extracted minerals such as sand in any part of Zambales are subject to taxes that benefit the people – 50 percent to the province, 30 percent to the LGU, and 20 percent to barangays.

Fishermen are also beneficiaries, with recipients receiving fishing payaos (fish aggregating devices), fishing gear, and fishing harvester vessel.

These projects were initiated by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. for the benefit of the people.

Mariano said complaints from local communities over dredging operations must only be from individuals with personal interests.

“They built permanent structures over accretion areas, which was considered danger zone by the DENR, but illegal settlers and businesses popped in the area like mushrooms,” the official said.