By Dante Salvaña | August 22, 2026

IBA, Zambales — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Zambales, along with the provincial government and other concerned agencies, is intensifying its campaign against illegal structures in coastal accretion areas, as typhoons continue to affect coastal communities in the province.

Zambales Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head Marife Castillo said the provincial government recently convened an inter-agency meeting to address the accretion issue.

“This is an inter-agency concern,” Castillo said, noting that the agencies need to clearly define their respective responsibilities in addressing the problem and monitoring affected areas.

She said a coordinated response would require the involvement of the DENR, Department of Tourism (DOT), local government units (LGUs), the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), and other concerned agencies.

The strengthened inter-agency approach would ensure that government interventions remain coordinated, particularly during periods of severe weather and changing coastal conditions, she added.

The DENR officer also said the agency is coordinating the implementation of a Supreme Court decision involving portions of unclassified public domain in San Felipe, San Narciso and Botolan towns, which are subject to government protection and proper management.

Castillo said the DENR is continuing its investigation into an unauthorized construction activity discovered during an earlier inspection in San Narciso. Enforcement personnel, she said, had seized construction equipment during the inspection.

She said the administrative proceeding remains ongoing, while DENR personnel are also gathering evidence for a possible criminal case.

Earlier, DENR Regional Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the need for sustained coordination and enforcement to ensure that public-domain areas are properly managed and protected in accordance with environmental and land-management laws.

The DENR said enforcement and monitoring activities will continue to prevent unauthorized development and protect areas covered by government regulations and the Supreme Court ruling. ▲

COVER PHOTO: An illegal structure was built just behind a DENR warning sign in San Felipe, Zambales (DENR)