Months after storm surges from #KristinePH battered San Fabian’s coastal area in Pangasinan, the town’s popular baywalk remains in ruins, reportedly affecting tourism and local livelihoods.

Barangay officials said around 250 meters of the baywalk in Barangay Nibaliw Magliba were destroyed by back-to-back storms in 2024.

Waves as high as 10 meters crashed onto the structure and caused severe damage.

Following the calamity, the local government immediately coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and submitted a damage report.

The Municipal Engineering Office said the baywalk was structurally sound before the disaster.

“Maayos ‘yung pagkagawa. Due to disaster talaga kaya na-damage,” Engr. Rodel Quiros, Officer-in-Charge of the Municipal Engineering Office, said.

A P10 million budget from the calamity fund has been allocated for rehabilitation, including repairs in Mabilao and Bolasi.

However, there is still no definite start date for the project, despite two resolutions from the barangay council requesting immediate action.

“We are praying na sana sa lalong madaling panahon kasi devastated itong area namin. Affected yung tourism industry dito. ‘Yun lang ‘yung source ng ikinabubuhay namin dito,” Barangay Chairman Olive Magliba said.

With the damaged baywalk, the number of beachgoers in the area has dropped by 80 percent, according to Magliba.