Reopening of Santa Ana beach resorts backed

SANTA ANA, Cagayan — Following the recent demolition of structures within the easement zone of Nangaramoan Beach in Barangay San Vicente here, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 committed its technical assistance for the reopening of resorts and business establishments.

DENR Region 2 Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan assured resort owners and stakeholders that they would be allowed to resume operations, provided they comply with all requirements.

Nangaramoan Beach, which is known for its white sand and coral beach, is a popular destination for tourists managed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

NANGARAMOAN BEACH Considered a world-class tourism destination in Northern Luzon, Nangaramoan Beach, located 13 kilometers from Sta. Ana town proper in Cagayan, boasts a 500-meter strip of white sand. The resorts will soon be reopened provided resort owners have complied with the requirements. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bambalan said the DENR will assist the Nangaramoan Environmental Protectors Association (NEPA) in its application for a Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism (FlagT) covering an area of 5,384 square meters.

"This agreement between the DENR and NEPA will grant the association the right to occupy, manage and develop the area for tourism purposes, subject to a government share," she said.

Bambalan added that the DENR will also help the association formulate a comprehensive development and management plan and a climate resilience and tourism development plan.

"These plans will outline a series of actions, timelines and strategies for the management, development and utilization of resources," she said.

Bambalan added that further efforts of the DENR will include a carrying capacity study and the reorganization of NEPA into Community-Based Ecotourism, Inc., complete with legal incorporation documents.