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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Ebdane bans illegal resort structures in Zambales' sand deposits

Ebdane bans illegal resort structures in Zambales' sand deposits

Published Aug 20, 2026 11:08 am
Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (center in black jacket) orders a ban on the construction of illegal structures in accretion areas along coastal areas in the towns of San Narciso and San Felipe in Zambales.
Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (center in black jacket) orders a ban on the construction of illegal structures in accretion areas along coastal areas in the towns of San Narciso and San Felipe in Zambales.
IBA, Zambales – Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has banned the construction of illegal structures in the sand deposits of the San Narciso and San Felipe dump sites that have been classified as danger zones by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a meeting with municipal and community leaders, stakeholders, and the Zambales Provincial Foreshore Lease Management Council (ZPFLMC), Ebdane called for immediate solutions to stop the increase in the number of illegal structures being built.
Ebdane said the problem facing the provincial local government regarding the seemingly unstoppable increase in the number of illegal constructions in the sand deposits since 2008 must be addressed.
Based on the latest estimates, there are more than 2,000 private resorts in San Narciso and San Felipe operating without business permits. The facilities were constructed without building permits.
“Let us face reality. We have serious problems,” said Ebdane. He added that resort owners continue to blame the provincial government when strong waves destroy their properties during monsoon rains. “This is because they didn’t actually know, or they continue to ignore the legal truth about the land they are occupying,” he said
Ebdane gave the example of Liwliwa, a popular destination for beach-goers and camping in San Felipe, where many resort structures were washed-out or damaged by strong waves during the recent heavy monsoon.
“Despite the damages caused by nature, many investors are still being lured to buy lands inside the accretion area without knowing, or maybe they were not informed properly by the sellers, that selling lands in the accretion is illegal.”
Ebdane said the law should be implemented whoever might be affected. “If they have no legal documents, they should be stopped from constructing more structures, and no more permits, business or occupancy, should be issued for accretion areas.”
PENRO Marife Castillo told the Council that in 2008, the DENR declared the areas a danger zone and prohibited the construction of structures. But warning signs in the accretion area on this continue to be ignored by land sellers, as well as buyers or investors.
Provincial Consultant for Development and Infrastructure Engr. Domingo Mariano recommended that the municipal assessors and tourism officers, building and business permit officials, should monitor the illegal construction in the area and place checkpoints that will prohibit the entry of construction materials.
“The community should cooperate in stopping the construction of more illegal structures in the accretion to ensure the safety, not only of the resort owners, but especially the general public,” Mariano said.
Mariano said that based on PENRO and CENRO reports, despite the issuances of warnings and show cause orders, private individuals continue buying portions of accretion lands and building concrete structures for their resort businesses in Bgy. Sto. Nino, San Felipe, completely disregarding the big warning signs and boards nearby.
Ebdane, as chairman of the ZPFLMC, formed a technical working group that will formulate a guideline which will serve as legal basis of the Council during the implementation of area surveying and clearing operations against illegal structures and businesses inside the accretion.
“We are here to help the affected parties, to correct the mistakes they have committed, and to identify those responsible in the illegal selling of land in the accretion, including those who helped facilitate or transact the selling,” Ebdane explained

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