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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Fishers, environmentalists ask court to stop Antique river park project

Fishers, environmentalists ask court to stop Antique river park project

Published Dec 12, 2025 02:32 pm
CONSTRUCTION of the river park and seawall in San Jose de Buenavista town, Antique province. (Amlig Antique Alliance)
CONSTRUCTION of the river park and seawall in San Jose de Buenavista town, Antique province. (Amlig Antique Alliance)
ILOILO CITY – Fisherfolk and environmental groups have asked a court to stop a river park and seawall project in San Jose de Buenavista, the provincial capital of Antique, for environmental destruction.
The Funda-Dalipe Fisherfolk Association (FDFFA), Amlig Antique Alliance, Dihon sa ‘Raya Inc., and private citizen Remy Muescan filed a writ of continuing mandamus and a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) against the P1.5-billion project in Funda-Dalipe.
The 520-meter esplanade and seawall is part of a flood control project undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highway-6 (Western Visayas).
“Portion of the ₱1.5-billion project has buried turtle nesting grounds, silted coral reefs, and was constructed without the required environmental permits,” said the petitioners in a Dec. 10 petition filed before a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in San Jose de Buenavista.
The project allegedly violated the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, and the Environmental Impact Statement System Law.
Aside from DPWH, respondents were contractor JE Tico Construction Co. Inc., the local government unit (LGU) of San Jose de Buenavista, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-6, and DENR Environmental Management Bureau-6.
FDFFA President Rowel Saldajeno said the esplanade prevented them from mooring their boats safely and lamented that the sea is becoming a graveyard.
“This isn’t isolated. Illegal coastal reclamation and seawalls are rampant nationwide, fueled by the same corrupt networks. The San Jose case is a beacon: Restore our coasts, hold the powerful accountable, and rebuild with nature, not against it,” noted lawyer Rolly O. Pedrina, president of Dihon sa ‘Raya Inc.

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