Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has renewed her push for a congressional investigation into large-scale dredging operations in Zambales, warning of severe environmental damage, threats to local livelihoods, and the reported involvement of Chinese vessels.
In House Resolution No. 1601, de Lima urged the lower chamber to examine ongoing dredging activities in the province’s rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, pointing out that operations have continued unabated despite mounting complaints.
“With large-scale dredging unabated, coastal erosion and loss of livelihoods unresolved, and questions regarding the foreign vessels involved, the volume of materials dredged and their destination still unaddressed, every day of delay in conducting an inquiry into the matter poses greater risks of further and potentially irreversible damage to coastal areas, fishing grounds, and the communities that depend on them,” de Lima said.
Environmental groups, including the Zambales Ecological Network, Save Our Shores Zambales, and the Institute for Area Management, have raised concerns that supposed flood control and river restoration initiatives are being used as a cover for large-scale sand mining.
While the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) established exclusive dredging zones in heavy-silt rivers under a 2019 administrative order, the lawmaker noted that her office continues to receive widespread grievances.
De Lima previously filed House Resolution No. 424 in November 2025 to probe the operations—which reportedly involved foreign contractors like China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.—though the measure has remained pending. During recent plenary deliberations on the DENR’s 2027 budget, she also highlighted Philippine Ports Authority data showing at least 67 vessels operating in Botolan and San Felipe between 2020 and 2025, many bearing Chinese names.
Furthermore, she criticized conflicting statements from DENR officials, noting that while a regional director claimed in August 2026 that no Chinese firms were involved, the agency later conceded during budget debates that Chinese vessels were being utilized on a rental basis.
“Marami tayong mga tanong ukol sa nakababahalang dredging na ito sa Zambales na kailangan ng agarang tugon. We won’t allow this alarming issue to be ignored or left unaddressed,” de Lima said.
“Kailangan nating malaman ang totoo hindi lang para matukoy kung may nangyayaring pag-abuso, pagkukulang o kapabayaan, nang hindi na magpatuloy o maulit pa ang ganitong operasyon na banta sa kalikasan, seguridad, buhay at kabuhayan ng marami nating mga kababayan,” she added.