By Eva C. Visperas

 

FOR many of us, Lingayen Beach has always been a place of peace — whether for a brisk morning jog, a picnic with family, or simply for a quiet moment with the waves.

I used to do my own beach walk there regularly, marveling at its pristine stretch of sand, which stood as a testament to the community’s commitment to cleanliness. This was back in the time when the father-and-son Espino administration spearheaded regular cleanup activities by provincial government employees, making sure the shoreline stayed free of debris, encouraging beachgoers to take pride in their surroundings.

But in my most recent walk there before the end of 2024, I was struck with a deep sense of dismay. Gone was the clean beach I once knew. In its place were unsightly piles of trash —plastic cups, water bottles, food wrappers — scattered across the sandy expanse where people normally gather to enjoy a day out. It was heartbreaking. This used to be a place that drew pride and admiration, but now it is marred by neglect.

I took a moment to talk to the few beachgoers present that day. Their faces echoed my own feelings of disappointment. They were just as dismayed at the sight of the trash. “It’s not like this before,” one of them told me.

“We used to have cleanups, and the place was always nice.” But sadly, the cleanliness that once was a hallmark of the beach has since faded, and it seems that no one has taken the responsibility to maintain it.

In my conversation with some provincial cleaners working under the current administration, I learned the heartbreaking reality: they didn’t even have the proper tools to collect the trash —no plastic bags, no sacks, nothing. It felt like a tragic oversight, especially given the beach’s prominence as a major local attraction at the province’s capital town. It is a place of great historical significance, since it was supposedly the site of General MacArthur’s landmark landing 75 years ago that deserves so much better.

I chose not to post the pictures I took, thinking it wasn’t my place yet to raise the alarm. I thought someone else would do it. And sure enough, last week I saw posts from businesswoman Ma’am Jocelyn Perez of Basista, and my fellow PUNCHER columnist, Virginia Pasalo, who both shared their disheartening experiences. They, too, had visited the beach with family and friends, only to be greeted by the same ugly sight of uncollected trash. It was clear: Lingayen Beach was no longer the place we knew.

What is troubling is that this situation could have been avoided. Under the leadership of the Espinos, provincial employees regularly conducted cleanup activities, and their efforts inspired many in the community to follow suit. But those initiatives have not continued under the present administration.

It wasn’t until the pictures from Ms. Perez and Ms. Pasalo circulated on social media that anyone in authority took notice. Last week, after these public posts, some action was taken to address the issue. It shouldn’t have had to come to this.

Lingayen Beach, along with all the other beautiful coastal areas in Pangasinan, is a treasure. It’s a gem that draws both locals and tourists, and it’s located right at the heart of our province, behind the historic Capitol Area. This beach, with its natural beauty and rich history, deserves better care and attention. If we, as a community, fail to take care of it, we risk losing something invaluable — not just for ourselves, but for future generations.

Let this be a wake-up call for all of us. Our beaches are part of our identity. They should reflect the pride we have for our province, for our heritage. It’s time to bring back the cleanliness, the spirit of community involvement, and the pride we once shared in keeping our beachfronts clean. Let’s not wait for another post before we take action. The time to act is now.

Let us all join hands to restore the beauty of Lingayen Beach and all our beaches in Pangasinan. These are not just tourist attractions, they are part of who we are. Let’s preserve them for our future.

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