By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) will be crafting a comprehensive management plan to ensure the protection and sustainability of Nangaramoan Beach in Cagayan.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed last Feb. 18 by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and CEZA Administrator and CEO Raul Lambino for the crafting of the Nangaramoan Comprehensive Area Development and Management Plan.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA/MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"This will ensure the protection of the environment in the area and the sustainable development of Nangaramoan Beach. This is the biggest substance of this MOA," Cimatu said.
Nangaramoan Beach is famous for its pristine waters and white powdery sand comparable to Boracay Island. It is located in the town of Santa Ana, which is within Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport that is managed and supervised by CEZA.
Lambino said CEZA will rely on the technical input of the DENR in the development of the management plan that will benefit not only tourists, but also stakeholders.
Cimatu advised CEZA to require resort operators to build their own sewage treatment plants and strictly implement the 20-meter shoreline easement rule.
It must be clear to the operators that structures encroaching into the easement are considered illegal and must be demolished, the DENR chief said. He also warned against cutting down trees within the forestlands.