DENR pushes for relocation of informal settlers along El Nido coasts

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Saturday it is pushing for the relocation of informal settlers who have built houses along the coasts of El Nido —one of the many protected areas in Palawan and world-famous tourist destination.

In a statement, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said that the local government of El Nido has issued a final notice to vacate to 24 families who have built houses along Corong Corong coastline.

“We are working closely with the local government to ensure that the relocation site for these informal settler families is prepared as soon as possible,” Cimatu said.

The DENR said the houses of the informal settlers are built on stilts and sit directly above waters of Corong Corong Bay.

Citing local DENR officials, the agency said the houses do not have toilets and disposal of wastes are directly into the sea.

“You can smell the stench in that area. These activities have a significant effect to the water quality in the immediate area around the houses. Aside from the fact that they do not have toilets, they are also encroaching on the easement zone, so we hope to move them to a new location soon,” Cimatu said.

“We have learned that some of the families have other homes around El Nido where they can go to. However, for some reason, they chose to live in these informal settlements in the sea. For these families, moving should not be much of a problem,” he added.

The DENR said that not only informal settlers that are encroaching on the three-meter easement or salvage zone in the coasts of El Nido.

Earlier this month, DENR-MIMAROPA region issued notices to vacate to 32 businesses, including resorts and restaurants, which were found to have structures falling inside the easement zone.

The establishments have been given one month to remove structures inside the salvage zone.

Aside from encroachment in easement zones and timberland, El Nido is also facing concerns about degrading water quality and inadequate sewerage facilities, according to the DENR.

These are the three key issues that Task Force El Nido —composed of the DENR, the Environmental Management Bureau, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, and the El Nido local government —are aiming to address.

Formed last month, the task force is now inspecting over 200 establishments for compliance with environmental laws and is coordinating with other stakeholders to protect and ensure the sustainability of El Nido as an ecotourism destination.

El Nido is part of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, a 90,321-hectare key biodiversity area protected under Presidential Proclamation 32 signed by then president Joseph Estrada in 1998.

It is famous for its pristine blue waters and white sand beaches, lush forests, towering limestone rock formations and caves, as well as the numerous islands surrounding the seas of El Nido. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News