The city government has begun dismantling fences built by several landowners along the shoreline of Barangay Buenavista in this city following complaints raised by residents and fishermen in the area.
Those affected said the fences had a major impact, especially during storms, because they could no longer move their boats to safer areas along the shore.
Councilor Luis Marcaida III said he also observed the issue during his visit to the Northwest Barangays in recent weeks, when he personally passed by the fences being complained about.
“Nakakalungkot dahil ‘yung maliliit nating mga mangingisda ay hindi na magamit ang baybayin ng dagat dahil may bakod na talaga. Sa ibang lugar, open ang dagat sa mga residente kung saan puwedeng maligo, maglaro, mangisda at mag-enjoy dahil open ang baybayin,” Marcaida said in an interview with Palawan News.
He added that the City Anti-Squatting Office has already issued Notices to Vacate to 19 landowners who installed fences within their areas.
The landowners have 30 days to remove or demolish the structures they built. If they fail to comply, the City Anti-Squatting Office will submit a report to the Council on Anti-Squatting Syndicate and Professional Squatters (CASSAPS) to request a demolition order.
“Nagbigay na sila ng Notice to Vacate sa land owners at kailangan na nilang i-self demolish ang mga iligal na istruktura para maging free ang baybayin,” the councilor added.
Based on information from City Anti-Squatting Head Alex Hermoso, six of the 19 landowners have already complied with the order.
The deadline for those who have not yet complied will end on March 12, and Hermoso assured that they will immediately request a demolition order from CASSAPS if necessary.
Meanwhile, City Ordinance No. 1105 is in effect in Puerto Princesa City. The measure, authored by Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela, took effect in December 2020 and strictly prohibits the construction of any structure within salvage zones and foreshore areas in the city.
“Ang ordinansang ito ay nagbabawal sa sinumang tao na maglagay ng any structure sa mga foreshore area at salvage zones at nagpaparusa sa sinumang humahadlang sa mga mangingisda at residente na mag-enjoy ng recreation sa mga dalampasigan,” Maristela said.
The ordinance is enforced by the City Anti-Squatting Office, the City Zoning Office, and the barangays.
