HOUSE Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has once again filed a Resolution calling for an investigation into the continuing large-scale dredging in the rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters of Zambales, as well as reports of Chinese vessels operating in the area.
In filing House Resolution (HR) No. 1601, De Lima renewed her call for the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry to urgently address the concerns of affected communities, strengthen the legal framework and safeguards governing dredging, and protect coastal areas and marine resources.
“With large-scale dredging unabated, coastal erosion and loss of livelihoods unresolved, and questions regarding the foreign vessels involved, the volume of materials dredged and their destination still unaddressed, every day of delay in conducting an inquiry into the matter poses greater risks of further and potentially irreversible damage to coastal areas, fishing grounds, and the communities that depend on them,” De Lima said.
“The findings of such probe should guide the formulation of stronger environmental safeguards, transparency mechanisms, and accountability measures to ensure that all dredging and reclamation activities are conducted in accordance with law, and the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,” she added.
In October 2019, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-13, which established exclusive dredging zones in heavily silted river systems, specifically the Bucao, Maloma, and Sto. Tomas Rivers in Zambales.
However, environmental groups, including the Zambales Ecological Network (ZEN), Save Our Shores Zambales, and the Institute for Area Management, have raised concerns that the so-called flood control and river restoration projects in Zambales are being used to facilitate large-scale sand mining and extraction operations under the guise of public infrastructure initiatives.
An environmental justice advocate, De Lima has consistently raised concerns about the ongoing dredging in Zambales, as her office continues to receive numerous complaints on the matter.
It can be recalled that on November 4, 2025, the Bicolana lawmaker filed HR 424 seeking an inquiry into the dredging and sand extraction in Zambales, including the role of foreign contractors such as the China Harbour Engineering Company, Ltd. (CHEC).
With HR 424 pending before the Committee on Rules since November 12, 2025, without referral to the appropriate committee, De Lima wrote to Committee Chairperson and Majority Leader Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos on 8 September 2026, asking for an update on the status of the measure and the cause of the delay.
Moreover, during the House plenary deliberations on the DENR’s proposed 2027 budget, De Lima inquired about the report that at least 67 vessels had been involved in dredging in Botolan and San Felipe from 2020 to 2025, most of which bearing Chinese names, according to a Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) list dated 29 September 2025.
De Lima also pointed out the contradiction between the DENR regional director’s statement during the August 2026 budget briefing that no Chinese firm was involved in dredging activities in Zambales and the agency’s admission during the plenary deliberations that Chinese vessels were being used for the operations, but were merely rented.
“Marami tayong mga tanong ukol sa nakababahalang dredging na ito sa Zambales na kailangan ng agarang tugon. We won’t allow this alarming issue to be ignored or left unaddressed,” De Lima said.
“Kailangan nating malaman ang totoo hindi lang para matukoy kung may nangyayaring pag-abuso, pagkukulang o kapabayaan, nang hindi na magpatuloy o maulit pa ang ganitong operasyon na banta sa kalikasan, seguridad, buhay at kabuhayan ng marami nating mga kababayan,” she added.
metrosundaily
