The public starts to stand guard on the possible impact, especially on the environment, of the reclamation project being proposed in Tagbilaran City.
This comes after the reclamation project involving 153 hectares, more or less, of area in the waterfront of several barangays in the city was finally exposed to the public.
The Tagbilaran Waterfront Development Corporation (TWDC) presented its unsolicited proposal to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) of Tagbilaran City in a special session on Oct. 19, 2022.
With this development, concerned sectors have already expressed the need to guard against the negative impact of the project, saying any development shall not compromise the state of the environment.
According to reports, the Tagbilaran SP approved the resolution recognizing the original proponent status of TDWC’s reclamation proposal to the city.
According to Kag. Nerio Zamora II, the proposal will still go through scrutiny especially with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as well, among other regulatory hurdles.
For this reason, the process for approval of the project will pass through the scrutiny of the public via hearings called for the purpose of determining the viability of the project and its impact to the environment, Zamora explained.
Zamora made the statement during a radio interview over Open Forum on Oct. 21, 2022, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado.
Former mayor and current chief of staff of the City Mayor, John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, promised transparency of and in discussions on the proposal. He is also urging the public to get involved in the issue concerning the reclamation project.
He added that the administration of his wife, Mayor Jane Yap, will thoroughly study the proposal before making any actions.
There are reports that the unsolicited proposal was handed to the administration of former Mayor John Geesnell Yap II back in 2021.
The unsolicited proposal was given wider exposure to the public following the presentation that happened during the special session of the city council.
The public’s social acceptability will also be given due consideration when the public hearing on this proposal takes place in the future, Zamora said.
PRESENTATION
The TWDC presented its reclamation proposal to the members of the SP in a special session on Oct. 19, 2022.
The TWDC is a corporation comprised of 5 companies that banded together to initiate the reclamation project in Tagbilaran City.
The proponent is building an artificial island proposed to be found 10 to 15 meters off the foreshore of several barangays of the Tagbilaran.
The reclamation will have an area of 153 hectares, more or less, which broken down will amount to 89.968 hectares, covering Booy straight to a portion of Taloto for the 1st phase of the project.
The 2nd phase will involve an area of 11.677 hectares at the foreshore of Poblacion 2.
Furthermore, the 3rd phase will involve the reclamation of 51.384 hectares in Mansasa and in Poblacion 1.
The total cost of the project based on the information released in the presentation is nearly P12 billion.
The cost of building the project is further broken down as follows: P9.53 billion for reclamation works, P1.76 billion for infrastructure support, and pre-implementation will cost P0.70 billion.
In the event the project pushes through, each square meter of the reclamation area will cost around P7,785, the proponents said in their presentation.
The city government will not be spending anything for the reclamation project, Zamora said.
About 51 percent of the reclaimed land will be owned by the city government while the remainder will be in the possession of the proponent, Zamora added.
The TWDC is composed of Cebu Landmasters Inc., Lite Shipping Inc., Lite Properties Inc., Ulticon Builders Inc. and Aldama Mining Resources Inc. Two Boholano are involved in the proponents’ group and they are Lucio Lim Jr. of Lite Propoerties, Inc, and Ding Borja of another Corporation.
During the presentation the TWDC was represented by lawyer Nick Conti, Engr. Jeff Kabigting, and Ernest Evangelista.
Reports say that the reclamation project is an offshoot of the public-private partnership scheme of former president Duterte. .
The proponents are pushing for the proposal to provide more spaces where city development can happen, according to reports.
Several key personalities were invited to the session including members of the University of Bohol (UB) University Research Center (URC), which included its dean Dr. Leah Pilongo. Batoy also attended the special session accompanying the team from the UB Research Center.
Pilongo, in an interview said that she was invited to the special session together with the members from UB. Pilongo claims that she is passionate about the project’s impact on the environment.
During the special session, Batoy and Dr. Pilongo were very strong in saying that the people of Tagbilaran City should remain vigilant and should really stand guard over the protection especially in protecting protect the environment at all times including every Tagbilaranon.
Dr. Pilongo and Batoy also said that since the waterfront project will undergo a process before its approval or disapproval, the public should be mindful about the outcome of the project especially on the environment. Both said that when it comes to the environment, there should be no compromises.
Both also said that they are not against any development but it should not come at the expense of the environment.
VIEWS
During the session, Kag. Fausto Budlong already expresed his support to the project. He was the only member of the SP to indicate his approval in front of the members of the august body. He said that he is basin his statements on his observations in other reclamation projects elsewhere.
Moreover, reports say that Kag. Jonas Cacho abstained in the voting for the resolution which approved the original proponent status of TWDC.
ANOTHER VIEW
In a separate interview, Cong. Edgar Chatto gave his opinion regarding the reclamation plan.
He admitted that he has yet to see the detailed plans of the reclamation project but he insists that there is due consideration on the effects to the environment.
He added that such project will definitely provide additional development to Tagbilaran City.
Chatto also said that what is important is that in the process of pursuing development, there should be due consideration on the impact on the environment.
Chatto has been known as someone who will oppose a reclamation project which will have a negative impact on the environment.
During his term as governor of Bohol, Chatto worked to stop the reclamation project in Panglao town which allegedly has a profound impact on the biodiversity of the said town.
