Sec. Raul L. Lambino (sitting from right), and Sec. Roy Cimatu (sitting from left) of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) exchange documents of signed memorandum of agreement during the MOA signing ceremony held recently at the DENR main office in Quezon City. Looking on are (standing – from left to right) DENR’s Undersecretaries Atty. Analiza R. Teh and Atty. Jonas R. Leones, CEZA officials Agrimero A. Cruz Jr., Raymundo T. Roquero, Atty. Joy Catherine P. Alameda, and Atty. Percival Peralta. (JOSEPH MUEGO)

THE Cagayan Economic Zone Authority’s plan to develop the Nangaramoan beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan has been given green light following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the CEZA and Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR).

The MOA recently signed at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City, will serve as an instrument in order to develop and protect the Nangaramoan beach area into a sustainable eco-tourism park.

Secretary Raul L. Lambino, administrator, and chief executive officer of CEZA, said the agreement was made to ensure the conservation,  and sustainable development of Nangaramoan beach, likewise, its further protection from ecological degradation.

“We are very happy and indeed grateful to the DENR under the leadership of Secretary Roy Cimatu for helping us improve the Cagayan Freeport, the development of various areas there, including the Nangaramoan beach, that will ultimately benefit not just the tourists who will be arriving in the area, but more importantly, the stakeholders, “ said Sec. Lambino.

For his part, Sec. Cimatu said, “the bottom line of this agreement is the protection of the environment in the area.”

Under the agreement, the two agencies will closely coordinate in the formulation of the master development plan, and the implementation of that plan for Nangaramoan beach area, including clean-up operations and rehabilitation programs.

Moreover, CEZA shall coordinate with the Regional Ecotourism Committee and with the technical input of the DENR, formulate and develop the Nangaramoan Comprehensive Area Development and Management Plan that will serve as a blueprint to ensure the preservation of the natural resources, the biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the Nangaramoan beach.

The DENR, through its Environmental Management Bureau, will provide technical assistance to CEZA in crafting the Nangaramoan Comprehensive Area Development and assist the agency by recommending measures to address waste management and sanitation issues that are to be incorporated in the beach resort and building designs.

Earlier, CEZA asked the assistance of the DENR to formulate the Nangaramoan Comprehensive Area Development and Management Plan to address alarming environmental issues found in the area.

“But this can be done only with the permission of DENR. So we are very thankful and grateful for the support that the agency is giving us,” said Sec. Lambino before the start of MOA signing.

“We are committed to supporting this MOA,” said Sec. Cimatu as he expressed interest to visit Sta. Ana, and see the various tourist spots there, particularly the beautiful Palaui island.

Nangaramoan is a stretch of white sand beach located in Sitio Nangaramoan of Barangay San Vicente, which is within the geographical jurisdiction of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport  (CSEZFP), and considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as reported by the international tourism network when it visited the area.

“In the past 20 years, we had seen the deterioration of the Nangaramoan beach. When I assumed office in CEZA three years ago, one of the first actions that I have done was to order the closure of the Nangaramoan beach, but it was done in close coordination with DENR and the local government of Sta. Ana,” said Sec. Lambino.

According to Sec. Lambino, the closure of the beach was made due to the failure of beach operators to comply with environmental regulations and sanitation standards.