EMED-AWMS-F004

Rev.0/07-31-2017

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
2nd Floor, DENR Building
Quirino Boulevard, Zone V, Bantay, Ilocos Sur

INVESTIGATION REPORT

Nature of Complaint : CONSTRUCTION OF RESORT WITH INCOMPLETE

PERMITS FROM DENR
Name of Establishment : Resort
Address of Proponent :Barangay Villa Quirino, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur
Location : Barangay Villa Quirino, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur
Contact Number/Email : 0917-167-9995
Investigating Officers : Supervising EMS Eduardo T. Malasig and Leonilo Alinio,
Legal Officers 1 Maria Criselda V. Lucero and
Ma-anne Q. Bagos
Date and Time of Inspection : August 24, 2021
Date of Report Prepared : August 25, 2021

Person(s) Interviewed Title/Position

Hon. Sherwin B. Ong Punong Barangay

Mrs. Rosemarie B. Etrara Municipal Agriculturist/MENRO Designate
Ms. Mildred Astrero Port Adventure employee
Ms. Evelyn Sabugo Sangguniang Barangay Member
Ms. Tessie Imperial Sangguniang Barangay Member
Ms. Mercedita Mangawang Sangguniang Barangay Member

A. Complaint Background:
A complaint letter from an anonymous complainant sent to r1@emb.gov.ph by DENR @
8888.gov.ph alleging that a resort is being constructed at Barangay Villa Quirino, San
Esteban, Ilocos Sur with incomplete permits from the DENR. The said complaint was
referred to the Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU) Ilocos Sur for
investigation on August 23, 2021.

The complainant alleged further alleged that the said construction of resort is detrimental
to the environment.

On August 24, 2021, EMB PEMU- Ilocos Sur personnel together with the Legal Officers
of PENRO Ilocos Sur and CENRO Northern Ilocos Sur conducted an investigation on the
matter.
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Upon reaching Barangay Villa Quirino, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, the team proceeded to
the Barangay Hall together with the Municipal Agriculturist/MENRO Designate Mrs.
Rosemarie Etrata. A meeting with the Punong Barangay and some members of the Barangay
Council ensued. The Barangay officials were briefed by the members of the team regarding
the complaint.

B. General Information:

Subject/Problem : Construction of resort with incomplete permits from DENR

Land use of adjoining areas:

Land Use Radial Distance

<20 m. >100 m. >200 m.
Residential x
Agricultural x
Barangay Road x

I. FINDINGS & OBSERVATIONS:

1. That during the conversation of the undersigned with the MENRO designate and the
Barangay Officials, they said that they are not aware of any resort being constructed
within the territorial jurisdiction of their barangay with incomplete permits from the
DENR;
2. That the MENRO and the Barangay Officials said that only one (1) resort is located
within the territorial jurisdiction of their Barangay which is the Port Adventure which is
already operational since last year CY 2020;
3. That no other resort is being constructed within their Barangay except the Port Adventure
Resort;
4. That there is an on-going construction within their barangay adjacent to the Port
Adventure Resort but it is not part of the resort but the rehabilitation of the port of the
Municipality;
5. That after the meeting of the team with the MENRO designate and officials of Barangay
Villa Quirino, the team proceeded to Port Adventure, a resort located in the barangay and
inspected/verified their permits and clearances relative to the construction and operation
of the resort;
6. That the team found the permits and clearances issued by the Local Government of San
Esteban, Ilocos Sur;
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7. That upon verification with the Clearance and Permitting Division of Environmental
Management Bureau Region 1 was made regarding the status of the Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC) of the subject establishment;
8. That Mr. Michael Alvear of the Clearance and Permitting Division of EMB Region 1
disclosed that the application for ECC of the subject resort is held in abeyance pending
the submission of a certification to be issued by PENRO Ilocos Sur to the effect that the
proponent can utilize a portion of the reclaimed area/foreshore pending the application
and approval of a foreshore lease agreement.

II. REMARKS:

1. The application for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the subject
resort (Port Adventure) was submitted on September 12, 2020 and the already paid
(please see attached certification).
2. That the proponent was penalized in the amount of THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (Php
30,000.00) with official receipt number 4498789 dated January 2, 2021 for starting the
construction of the resort without an approved ECC.
3. The application for ECC was returned to the account of the proponent requiring them to
submit additional information/requirements needed in the processing of the document.
4. That the complainant did not specifically mentioned Port Adventure Water Park and
Restaurant as the subject of the complaint.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That upon the approval of the ECC for the resort, a copy of which should be furnished to
the Punong Barangay for the information of all residents and the public.
2. That the Punong Barangay and the Barangay Council should make themselves aware of
any construction within their jurisdiction and verify if legal documents and permits are
issued prior to its the construction.

Prepared by:

EDUARDO T. MALASIG LEONILO B. ALINIO

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Supervising EMS/ PEMO Supervising EMS

MARIA CRISELDA V. LUCERO MA-ANNE Q. BAGOS

Legal Officer 1 Legal Officer 1

DOMINADOR TABION
Forest Technician II

Noted By:

ENGR. RYANNE N. NARVAEZ

OIC Chief, EMED

Approved By:

ENGR. MARIA DORICA NAZ-HIPE, CESE

Regional Director

Photo Documentation
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Picture shows Forester/Supervising EMS Leonilo Alinio with

the Human Resource Officer of the resort during the conduct of the
Investigation.

The BIR Registration of the resort

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The business permit of the resort

Picture shows the on-going construction/rehabilitation of a sea port

located beside the Port Adventure Resort. The project is not part of the resort.
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Meeting with the barangay officials

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Discussion with MA/ MENRO Designate