At least 10 house owners living near the shoreline in Barangay Doljo, Panglao face demolition of their residences after these were found to be within the town’s 20-meter easement zone.

According to Mayor Pedro Fuertes, owners of the residential structures were given notices of violations by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The same notices were previously issued to resort operators whose structures have also encroached on the salvage zone.

Fuertes pointed out that some of the said residents are illegal settlers as they built structures on land they do not own.

In March, DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu gave owners of illegal structures along Panglao’s 20-meter no-build zone six months to demolish these or they will face charges.

The directive was issued by Cimatu after he inspected the Alona beach in Panglao together with local officials including Fuertes.

However, Fuertes admitted that the local government unit has still not secured a relocation site for families that will be affected by the demolition.

According to Fuertes, he will still have to consult the provincial government to come up with measures in addressing the issue.

Meanwhile, six establishments in Barangay Bolod have voluntarily demolished their structures erected along the easement zone, two months after Cimatu issued the directive.

Some resort owners, on the other hand, have been contesting the DENR’s order.

The proprietors and operators argued that structures that are now deemed illegal were once out of the easement zone but beach erosion has caused seawater to move closer to their establishments. (R. Tutas)