Manila: House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has filed a resolution calling for an urgent investigation into the reported large-scale dredging and extraction activities conducted by a Chinese firm in San Felipe, Zambales. The resolution, House Resolution No. 424, also seeks to scrutinize the involvement and accountability of foreign contractors, particularly the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), in these operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, CHEC is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), one of China’s state-run entities. De Lima emphasized the need for Congressional oversight due to public concerns that such operations may surpass their declared purposes of flood control and river restoration, potentially leading to environmental degradation and social harm.

De Lima stated that the investigation’s findings should aid in creating stronger environmental safeguards, transparency mechanisms, and accountability measures. This would ensure that all dredging and reclamation activities comply with the law and uphold the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.

The resolution highlighted allegations from environmental organizations, such as the Zambales Ecological Network (ZEN), Save Our Shores Zambales, and the Institute for Area Management. These groups claim that projects under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2019-13, purportedly for flood control and river restoration, are actually large-scale sand mining and extraction operations masquerading as public infrastructure initiatives.

De Lima raised concerns about the negative impact of the dredging operations on the environment, livelihoods, and safety of the affected communities. She stressed the importance of addressing these issues to protect the welfare and concerns of the Filipino people.