SEVERAL resort owners in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales are being forced to close their businesses and leave the coastal community as changes along the shoreline continue to affect properties in the area.

The resort operators said the situation has been painful, as many of them are now saying goodbye to establishments they built and developed over the years.

For the affected owners, Liwliwa was more than a popular weekend destination. It became a home, a livelihood and a community where businesses grew alongside a steady stream of visitors drawn to its beaches, peaceful mornings, campfires and sunsets.

The changes along the coastline have also raised concerns over the future of the community and the need to protect and restore the area's shores.

Despite losing their physical establishments, resort owners and members of the community said the memories and relationships built in Liwliwa will remain.

They also appealed to guests, friends, neighbors and travelers who have supported the community over the years to continue extending their support as residents and business owners face an uncertain future.

“Liwliwa wasn’t just a pin on a map or a weekend getaway spot,” the resort owners said, describing the area as a place where dreams were built and shared by the community.

As affected businesses begin to move on, the community hopes that efforts to restore and protect the coastline will help preserve Liwliwa for future generations.