A local group formed to oppose the reclamation plan continues to strongly vow the fight against a potential environmental disaster.

According to a source, the local group is now in the final stages of drafting a position paper on the matter.

The position paper will contain, among others, the group’s views on the reclamation project which will be used as a springboard for further actions such active participation in public hearings to be called regarding the plan to create an artificial island off the coast of Tagbilaran City.

The position paper is going to be the anchor of a petition against the reclamation plan.

Moreover, the local group finally met with officials of a key institution dedicated to marine science research as the former obtained guidance and ideas from the latter regarding measures to fight reclamation projects with the potential to destroy nature.

The key institution has years of experience in fighting reclamation projects near its vicinity. The officials of the key institution in marine science said it is a worthy cause to gain an upper hand over the proponents of reclamation as they provided guidance to ensure all sectors of society are involved in the struggle to stop the reclamation project.

The movement against reclamation should include the sectors of religion, academe, law, youth, women, civic organizations and environment groups, among others.

The officials of the key institution forewarned the members of a local group to always stay vigilant in the battle 

with the hope that, again, “David”, who are the oppositors of the reclamation project, will emerge victorious against “Goliath”.

NO PUBLIC HEARING YET

Tagbilaran vice mayor Adam Jala, in a radio interview on Nov. 18, 2022, said the public hearing scheduled tomorrow,

Nov. 21 and on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, are not related to the reclamation project.

He said that in the event the Sangguniang Panglungsod panel headed by Kag. Nerio Zamora II, will be discussing the reclamation issue, it will be disseminated properly to the public so people can effectively participate and provide their respective positions.

The vice mayor said it would be illegal for the panel headed by Zamora to discuss the reclamation issue without the proper notice given to the public in the form of a measure coming from the City Council.

NO DEAL. YET

In a statement, former City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II during a radio interview said the issue on the reclamation is far from being settled.

He made an impression during the radio interview with Chandymar Batoy on Nov. 18, 2022, over Open Forum program, that the issue on reclamation will go through thorough discussions.

He described the current stage of the reclamation project proposal like a “courtship”.

It can be remembered that the reclamation plan of the Tagbilaran Waterfront Development Corp. is an unsolicited proposal and subject to numerous stages including a possible Swiss challenge.

A Swiss challenge is the process whereby the government will open the bidding process in an unsolicited proposal to other parties interested to provide a better offer or to match the original plan, which is in this case the waterfront reclamation involving several coastal areas of Tagbilaran City.

“Karong panahuna mura ta ug gipanguyaban. Mao na kinahanglan nato matan-aw kung ang nanguyab nato insakto ba ug batasan, ug family background. Parehas na karon, naay nanguyab nato, pero kinahanglan nato timbang-timbangon with regards sa impact ani, environmental impact, although dili sa Tagbilaran City government ang mo-decide ug makadaot ba ni sa environment, ang DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] man gyud ni ug makakuha ug ECC [Environmental Compliance Certificate],” Yap said.

The former mayor, who works as Mayor Jane Yap’s chief of staff, continued that he seeks the help of the public and organizations to give a long hard look at the proposal, to ascertain if development plan of the city’s waterfront can greatly benefit or not Bohol’s capital.

Former Mayor Baba Yap stressed that the reclamation proponents need to get an approval from President Marcos Jr. in order to proceed.

“Dili gyud ni basta-basta nga naay ipang bypass o murag i dalidali. Kay dili na mahitabo,” Yap added in the interview.

He continued:” Kitang tanan magbantay gyud ta ani kay para ni sa atong kaayuhan, para sa mga generations to come.”

He said that the government will take a careful look at the pros and cons of the project.

CHATTO’S POSITION

In an earlier interview, Cong. Edgar Chatto of the 1st District of Bohol says experts should be consulted whether the planned waterfront reclamation project will cause a negative impact to the environment. Tagbilaran City belongs to the 1st District of Bohol and he said that experts should come on board and help study the impact on the biodiversity of Tagbilaran City’s waters before making a decision on the proposal.

He said it would be wise to come up with a decision on the waterfront reclamation project based on science and data.

Chatto’s track record on reclamation has been in favor on the environment. Currently, he is the chairman of the Climate Change panel at the House of Representatives.

During his tenure as governor, he led the provincial government in filing a case against proponents of a reclamation plan in Panglao town.