LAOAG CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered Pagudpud resort owners to voluntary demolish cottages and other structures built on the foreshore area surrounding the “Blue Lagoon,” the town’s favorite destination in Balaoi village, Pagudpud town.
In a letter, the DENR directed and demanded the resort owners to voluntary demolish the cottages and other structures within 72 hours upon receipt of notice otherwise, appropriate charges will be imposed to them without prior notice.
The department has identified the violators as Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center owned by retired Airforce Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr.,, Classique Homestay by Ruth Magarro, and Cottages of Nelly Cristobal, May Anne Copeland and Corazon Espejo.
In a letter addressed to at least five resort owners on Friday, Atty. Mae Jean Pedro, legal consultant of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources based in Barangay Manayon, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, said “occupying the legal easement of the 20-meter salvage zone is in violation of Article 51 of the Water Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1067).”
Under the law, it is prohibited for any person to stay in this zone longer than what is necessary for recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing or salvage or to build structure of any kind within the legal easements.
The foreshore area surrounding the “Blue Lagoon” is a portion of the beach which spans 20 meters from the seashore. (PNA)
