Population in seaside villages contribute to pollution, and environmental change

CALABANGA, Cam Sur, March 12 — The shoreline in barangay Sabang here is taking its natural course, easing out the thatched houses that once were on a safer level. Long time residents were forced to give way to nature’s incursion.

During low tide, the muddy shore line is exposed only to be reclaimed by the sea during high tide.

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One resident confided that it was the third time they had to move upwards to avoid the sea encroachment.

The sturdy breakwaters that used to stop the tide from enundation of “residential lots” gave way to the slow but determined rush of salt water seeping under. A new one was built which inched upward. How long the structure will last is everyone’s guess.

Many of these lots now occupied by village residents are not recommended to locate permanent structures. There was the absence of basic necessities like power, safe source of potable water and proper waste disposal system in the area when it all began. But through the years with the increase in population more families that have fishing and fishing-related activities found their way in the thriving seaside village.

The introduction of villages with high concentration of residents in the shore line contributes to the current dilemma the people are in. The shallow portion of the sea is dark and muddy. The population contribute heavily on the siltation and polution of the ocean as trash finds its way into the open wide San Miguel bay.

There is the known want for sanitary system to contain flies in the area with the presence of fish processing and drying pens. Visitors should not expect to smell fresh air even though the strong Pacific breeze constantly sweeps the bay area.

The process may continue and aggravate the situation in the course of time. Add the factor of global warming and climate change, which is nature’s added recipe for disaster is just around the corner. (Our apologies to those who do not believe the phenomenon of climate change and global warming.)

The situation here is being replicated in many areas that surround the San Miguel Bay.

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