URGING Malacañang to take immediate action, a House deputy minority leader on Tuesday filed a measure seeking an urgent congressional inquiry into the large-scale dredging and extraction activities of a Chinese company in San Felipe, Zambales.
‘The Chinese company’s operations endanger the environment, local livelihoods, and the safety of nearby communities,’ Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal said.
Through House Resolution 424, de Lima also urged the House to scrutinize the involvement and accountability of foreign contractors, including the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), which has been identified as one of the entities engaged in these activities. CHEC is reportedly a subsidiary of the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
De Lima emphasized that the alleged participation of CHEC in dredging and sand extraction ‘underscores the urgent need for congressional oversight on the role of foreign contractors in environmentally sensitive projects,’ particularly as public concern grows that these undertakings may have gone beyond their declared purposes of flood control and river restoration-resulting instead in ecological degradation and social harm.
‘The findings of such inquiry 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 constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,’ De Lima added.
The resolution cited reports from environmental groups-including the Zambales Ecological Network (ZEN), Save Our Shores Zambales, and the Institute for Area Management-alleging that the so-called flood control and river restoration projects in Zambales, implemented under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2019-13, are in reality large-scale sand mining operations disguised as public infrastructure projects.
De Lima also reiterated her earlier appeal for Malacañang to investigate these activities, which have long been the subject of complaints from residents in Zambales and other provinces.
‘The Chinese firm involved in the reported large-scale dredging and extraction activities in Zambales has already been accused of having a shady track record and of facing labor-related complaints. This cannot be ignored. The President must look into the situation in Zambales, as well as in other areas of the country facing similar issues,’ de Lima added.
‘Nothing should take precedence over protecting our environment, livelihoods, and the safety of our fellow Filipinos,’ she added.
De Lima warned that leaving these large-scale dredging operations unchecked would endanger both communities and natural resources. ‘If these activities continue, we risk losing our natural wealth, displacing local livelihoods, and, worst of all, facing potential disasters that could harm many of our countrymen,’ she said.
It may be recalled that de Lima also authored House Bill 1843, or the Anti-Black Sand Mining Act, which seeks to prohibit black sand mining owing to its devastating effects on communities-including displacement, flooding, landslides, and loss of lives and livelihood.
Zambales exec: What Chinese dredging?
A SENIOR official of Zambales province, however, denied reports that a Chinese company is involved in dredging operations and is reportedly causing severe damage to private properties and the environment.
In a statement, Provincial Consultant on Engineering and Infrastructure Development Domingo Mariano assured that there is no Chinese company involved in the River Restoration Program or dredging operations in the major rivers of Zambales.
‘We have not given a permit to any Chinese company. We only have legitimate Filipino workers operating the dredging machines,’ Mariano said.
The official also clarified that what the critics identified as ‘Chinese vessels’ were actually acquired from China and are now Philippine registered watercraft flying the Philippine flag.
The vessels, including the crews, passed through the scrutiny and approval of the Maritime Industry Authority or Marina.
This project is not just about revenue; it is part of environmental protection and disaster-prevention efforts for all citizens.
Additionally, assistance is provided to fishermen, who have a total membership of 27,000.
This includes the provision of fishing payaos (fish aggregating devices) and fishing gear, as well as the purchase by the Provincial Capitol of a P87-million fishing harvester vessel for their use. This enables them to compete effectively with larger-scale fishermen.
‘All of these are projects from the initiative of Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., for the welfare of the citizens throughout the entire province,’ Mariano said.
The official made statement after a member of the House of Representatives recommended an investigation into an alleged Chinese company over its reported dredging operations in Zambales, which she said triggered widespread environmental damage and loss of livelihood for the residents.