'Stop lease of foreshore areas'

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Gov. Amado Espino Jr. has issued a memorandum ordering all captains of coastal barangays in the province to refrain from endorsing foreshore lease applications along the Lingayen Gulf foreshore area and its immediate environs.

This, as alleged informal settlers have continue to defy orders of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for them to vacate a big portion of a private property, including some portions of prime foreshore areas, they have “invaded” in the coastal barangay of Nibaliw Narvarte in this town.

The government order was issued by then DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. on Dec. 16, 2009, but the settlers have not budged an inch to leave the area, a potential tourism spot near the beachhead of Lingayen Gulf, which is now being eyed by real estate developers.

Atienza had directed the community environment and natural resources officer based in Dagupan City to enforce the department order, but nothing apparently came out of it.