Dagupan City (23 April) -- THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped issuing certifications of alienability of foreshore areas amid controversies involving occupancy of such prime public lands.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Leduina Co said the agency's move was in response to the request of the provincial government thru the municipality of Lingayen for the DENR to stop the issuance of such certifications.

The capital town along with other coastal towns are facing squatting problem in their beach areas.

The scenic beaches of Lingayen Gulf particularly that of the Lingayen beach are being developed for eco-tourism purposes but squatting affects full implementation of the program.

Similarly, Dagupan City is beset by illegal occupancy of its beach areas in barangay Bonuan Binloc by persons, mostly non-Dagupenos, prompting the city government to cancel any tax declarations issued to the occupants.

A foreshore lease agreement between the DENR and the applicant, it was found out, is used by the latter as basis for developing a parcel of public land for 25 years subject to conditions. The agreement may be renewed.

Evidently there have been abuses in the issuance of such lease agreements or irregularities involving unscrupulous environment personnel.

Co however noted that some problems involving lease agreements have been there long before she took over as PENRO officer for Pangasinan.

Salvage zones, which are areas 20 meters away from the shore during high tide, are not to be disposed. But just a plain view of the beach lands from San Fabian to Alaminos City shows there are indeed anomalous transactions involving prohibited areas.

Co told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan -DZMQ that she can only do so much to remedy the decades-old situation.

She expressed hope though that the agency's move to stop further issuance of certificates of alienability of foreshore lands will greatly address the squatting problem.

DENR however continues to enter into lease agreements with interested individuals or groups for the development of mountain areas.

Infanta town in fact recently called on interested parties to participate in the 'Adopt a Mountain' program for reforestation and other development purposes. The lease is also subject to conditions, she said. (PIA-Pangasinan)