๐ฆ๐ฃ ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐จ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ
By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC โ SP | Photos By: Sangguniang Panlalawigan | Date: October 19, 2022
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Public Works and Utilities, chaired by SP Member Maria Annabelle De Guzman conducted an ocular inspection on the alleged illegal structures in Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union on October 19, 2022. The inspection, which was joint in by the SP Committee on Laws, Rules and Privileges, was done in response to the reported illegal constructions in the said area such as concrete pots erected at the creek bed; concrete slab on the top of the creek; and concrete stairway blocking the flow of water from the creek situated between Fat Wave Surf Resort and Turtle Beach Resort.
The inspection was also participated in by San Juan Mayor Arturo Valdriz, SPM Ruperto A. Rillera Jr.; Atty. Reynaldo Dulay, Owner of Turtle Beach Resort; and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources โ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resources Office, SP Secretary Donato A. Rimando, Sangguninag Bayan Members of the Municipality of San Juan, La Union and other concerned citizens.
In the said activity, the inspection team examined the sites from the creek to the lower section leading to the shoreline where they observed that both resorts had encroached on the salvage zone including the creek. It was also observed that illegal structures were erected at the creek impeding the natural flow of water and creating a foul odor over the construction of septic tanks on the creek. The group has stressed the alarming concerns of the residents and tourists arising in the illegal construction of concrete slabs and the high concentration of E-coli bacteria in the area.
During the Focus Group Discussion, it was recommended to the concerned committee that a Technical Working Group be created under the Office of the San Juan Mayor to sort out the issues and concerns of the parties including the welfare of the public. Mayor Valdriz suggested that a manhole be created on the concrete slab and the concrete fence be reduced in terms of height. Moreover, the Mayor also requested the Office of the Provincial Engineer and the DPWH to check on the drainage system so as not to cause environmental hazards that will negatively affect the residents and establishments within the area.
In terms of legislation, it was suggested that the concerned Committee shall draft an ordinance prohibiting the construction and erection of infrastructure projects within the prohibited salvage zone.
The activity was done in support to Gov. Raphaelle Veronica โRafyโ Ortega-Davidโs call for #LaUnionProbinsyanihan focusing on the welfare of the kaprobinsiaan. With the recommendations given and actions to be done by the inspection team and officials present during the activity, the people of San Juan are confident that their concerns will be solved immediately.
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