07 December 2024 

To His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,  DENR, ZAMBALES Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, DPWH, our fellow citizens, and the Global Community 

We, the undersigned residents of Zambales, together with concerned citizens, organizations, and advocates for environmental protection, hereby present this petition calling for the immediate suspension of all dredging operations in Zambales, particularly in Sto. Tomas River, Maloma River, and Bucao River. We demand this action due to the devastating and far-reaching negative impacts of these dredging activities on our environment, livelihood, fisheries, tourism, and human rights.

WHEREAS:

Environmental Degradation: The ongoing dredging operations in these rivers have caused massive coastal erosion along the shorelines, particularly in San Felipe and Botolan and surrounding areas. This erosion is undermining the natural coastal defenses, destroying ecosystems, and severely affecting agricultural lands and properties. These areas have historically served as vital habitats for various marine species, which are now under threat due to the disturbance caused by dredging.
Destruction of Marine Ecosystem: The dredging activities have been found to destroy marine habitats, especially vital mangrove areas, coral reefs, and fish breeding grounds. These ecosystems support a healthy marine environment that is crucial for sustaining the local fishery industry. The destruction of these ecosystems has direct consequences for our marine biodiversity and threatens the long-term survival of local fish stocks.
Threat to Livelihoods: Many of the people in Zambales depend on fishing and tourism as their primary sources of livelihood. The dredging operations have destroyed critical marine resources, including fish breeding and nursery grounds, which has resulted in declining fish stocks and significantly reduced catches for local fishermen. This, in turn, is jeopardizing the livelihoods of entire communities whose economic stability is linked to the health of our marine environment.
Impact on Tourism: The erosion of coastal areas, along with the degradation of our marine ecosystems, has negatively impacted tourism in Zambales. Local resorts and businesses that rely on clean beaches, marine life, and healthy ecosystems for tourism are facing losses. These operations have not only destroyed the natural beauty of our coastline but have also led to the reduction of tourist visits to the area, further harming the local economy.
Violation of Human Rights: The ongoing dredging operations have been conducted without adequate consultation and informed consent from the affected communities. The human rights of local residents have been ignored, with no consideration given to their economic, social, and environmental well-being. The affected communities are not being provided with fair compensation for the destruction of their land, livelihoods, and environment, and they have not been involved in the decision-making process regarding the dredging projects.
Health and Safety Risks: The dredging operations have also been linked to significant pollution—including air and noise pollution—that directly affects the health and quality of life of nearby residents. The use of dredging equipment releases harmful dust and debris into the air, while the noise pollution disrupts daily life and threatens the physical and mental well-being of those living in close proximity to the dredging sites.

WHEREAS, flagrant violations of the ECC issued to Shuaful Resources Inc., The Chosen One Development Inc., Halrey Construction Inc., MagnaCorp Realty Development Corporation,  SevenWest  Inc., Z2K Resources, and GreenPhil Mineral Exploration and Development Corporation are committed by these contractors which include: air, sound and water pollutions, failure to submit monthly reports, failure to install appropriate measures to prevent coastal erosion, failure to plant trees in designated areas identified by the LGU, failure to conduct water sampling in downstream and upstream of the rivers, failure to organize the monitoring teams that include representatives of the community, failure to implement livelihood and community programs, failure to ensure that tourism in Zambales will not be affected, failure to implement Hydrographic Surveys, failure to post billboards about the project and other safety precautions, failure to inform the EMB about adverse effects of the dredging operations. 

WHEREAS, the river dredging operations were conducted without transparency and consistent consultation with the people. We have requested to check the Ore Transport permits of the dredging vessels but the Local PCG in San Felipe would not provide us copies. The Provincial Office has failed to provide us documents to ensure that the ECC provisions are strictly implemented. 

THEREFORE, WE, the undersigned, call for the following actions:

Immediate suspension of all dredging operations in Sto. Tomas River, Maloma River, and Bucao River, pending a thorough and independent environmental and social impact assessment that fully takes into account the long-term consequences for the environment, economy, and local communities.

Investigation into the legality and compliance of the dredging operations with environmental laws, particularly the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) requirements, as well as the labor rights of workers, including reports of illegal foreign labor and unsafe working conditions.

Immediate consultation with affected communities to ensure that the concerns, voices, and rights of local residents are adequately represented in any decisions regarding future dredging activities. This consultation must be transparent and inclusive, with meaningful participation of local people in decision-making processes.
Protection of marine ecosystems and coastal areas from further damage, with the implementation of restoration programs to rehabilitate areas affected by dredging, including, coral reef rehabilitation, and sustainable fisheries management.

A moratorium on all future dredging activities in Zambales and a call for more sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternatives to address the need for river management without sacrificing the health of our ecosystems or the livelihoods of our people.

WE BELIEVE that the protection of our natural resources and the welfare of our communities should be prioritized over short-term economic gain from destructive projects like dredging. The negative impacts of these operations are far-reaching, and the government must act to protect the environment, the rights of the people, and the sustainability of our local economy.

WE URGE the government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), and all relevant authorities to immediately suspend these operations and initiate a full review to address the concerns of the people and communities of Zambales.

We stand united in the belief that protecting our environment is essential to securing our future, and we call for swift and decisive action to safeguard the rights and well-being of our people and the preservation of our natural heritage.