Netizens rise up vs Currimao reclamation project

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Currimao, Ilocos Norte—The local government unit here found some ally in opposing the proposed reclamation project as the issue has been posted in Facebook to promote greater awareness about the issue.

The “Save Currimao Cove From Reclamation” page created by an environmental conservation organization in Manila on March 14, 2019 has generated an almost 1,500 likes as of March 22, 2019 and the number of shares keeps on increasing daily.

To date, a global sand exporter which has been exporting construction sand from Ilocos Norte to Japan and Singapore since 2009 is pushing for the development of a 112-hectare private seaport reclamation project at Brgy. Maglaoi, here.

As part of its long-term master plan for seaport expansion and development, Omnico Natural Resources Inc. wants to reclaim over a hundred hectares of the sea using imported furnace slag aggregates from Taiwan.

The Phase 1 of the project has already started, which is located within the boundary of Badoc and Currimao towns.

“As a key biodiversity area, Currimao is threatened by a huge reclamation project. I can’t forgive myself if we allow this to happen,” said Currimao Mayor Gladys Go-Cue following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Currimao government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the protection of marine life and natural resources.

Living near the ocean since the 1970’s, Mrs. Cue recalled her dad releasing sea turtles.

Over the years, the Currimao beach remains as one of the unspoiled beaches in the province until officials and residents raised the alarm on the furnace slag aggregates which will be used in the reclamation project may have toxic contents that could probably harm marine resources in the area.

This imported material is a residue or a by-product of iron and steel-making from a blast furnace in water or steam to produce a glassy, granular product that is then dried and ground into a fine powder.

But for some residents like Janine Pascua, she said Currimao is a beautiful place but it is a laid-back town in the province.

“We all know that Currimao is a third-class municipality. Why can’t we make our town more competitive by opening our minds to welcome improvement?” Ms. Pascua said saying the proposed seaport expansion could offer more opportunities for local employment and economic growth.

“It may damage some coral reefs and endanger some sea creatures but if we want to improve, we have to sacrifice or surrender something,” she explained.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog