As resort buildings crumble into the sea and fishing communities lose their livelihoods in Zambales province, environmental groups warn that Oriental Mindoro could suffer the same fate if massive sand dredging operations continue unabated.

The provincial board of Oriental Mindoro has already moved to halt sand dredging operations over environmental issues, declaring that such activities can result in “grave and irreparable injury” to marine ecosystems, agriculture, coastal stability and tourism.

But the warning comes as similar operations in neighboring Zambales have already caused irreversible damage to coastal communities.

“In 28 years of living here, we’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Myra, a Zambales resident whose cottage business was destroyed by coastal erosion she attributes to round-the-clock dredging operations. “If dredging continues here, we’ll be swallowed by the sea.”

The testimony, aired on veteran broadcaster Jessica Soho’s investigative program, echoes growing fears that sand extraction operations allegedly linked to Chinese interests are causing environmental devastation.

LESSONS FROM ZAMBALES

A resort owner described the systematic destruction of his property in Zambales: “Almost everything is destroyed now. We can’t receive guests because of this. We used to have cottages here and large coconut trees. Everything disappeared because the sand was depleted.”

The resort owner reported seeing up to 20 ships conducting 24-hour dredging operations, extending into rivers and creating increasingly deep excavations that compromise coastal stability.

“When the monsoon returned, everything collapsed because of the deep holes that were there,” he said, describing how massive trees that should have withstood natural erosion were swept away by destabilized coastlines.

Investigations have revealed that sand extracted from Philippine provinces like Zambales is being transported to China’s reclamation projects, including disputed areas near Scarborough Shoal.

Senate resolutions have identified China Harbour Engineering Co. and China Communications Construction Co. as companies involved in dredging activities.

Fishermen in Zambales retrieved 34 dredging assemblies bearing Chinese markings from the sea, providing physical evidence of foreign involvement in extraction operations.

The Philippine Misereor and Partnership Inc. stated in a recent press release that these operations “generate massive revenues for provincial governments and foreign companies, including Chinese vessels extracting sand from Zambales’ shores,” while local residents are left with “degraded ecosystems, worsening coastal erosion, and dwindling livelihoods.”

MINDORO FATE

Environmental advocates in Mindoro have expressed similar fears about coastal erosion, damage to marine ecosystems, and negative impacts on fishing communities as several dredging permits have been issued despite residents’ opposition.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor has defended a controversial sand-dredging project in Gloria town, involving the extraction of 1.8 million cubic meters of marine sand, despite mounting pressure from environmental groups.

The Koalisyon Sagip Mindoro (Coalition to Save Mindoro) and Gloria Municipal Fisherfolks Federation have expressed “strong opposition to the ongoing and planned massive sand mining” in Barangay Balite and other parts of the province.

Experts warn that sand dredging can diminish protection against storm surges, cause serious impacts on biodiversity, and lead to erosion and salinization of aquifers, threatening livelihoods through water supply, food production, fisheries, and tourism.

The Philippine Misereor and Partnership Inc. noted that operations “disguised as development” are actually causing “irreversible damage to marine biodiversity, mangroves, coral reefs, and fishery resources.”

In Zambales, residents report that coastal roads have been destroyed, preventing fishermen from launching boats due to large rocks blocking access.

“The cottages we used to rent out, even though they were small, brought us income. We started suffering with no work since the dredging began,” Myra explained.

The environmental group demanded “an immediate halt to all dredging and sand mining activities in Zambales” and called for the repeal of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 13, Series of 2019, which has enabled these projects under the guise of flood control.

While the Oriental Mindoro provincial board has temporarily suspended all sand dredging operations following mounting pressure from environmental groups, Governor Dolor has resisted the order.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a probe into Mindoro’s sand dredging operations linked to China’s reclamation activities, following similar investigations in Zambales.

The Zambales Ecological Network Inc. has called the operations “systematic plundering of sand and marine resources under the guise of flood control,” criticizing local government responses as inadequate while communities face ecological devastation.

The Philippine Misereor and Partnership Inc. declared: “Environmental justice is non-negotiable. The future of our people, oceans, and our planet is at stake. We will not stand idle as [our provinces] are carved up and sold off.”

Photos courtesy of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho and Zambales Environment Network