The controversial Tagbilaran Bay Reclamation Project has become a source of heated debate and potential conflict between two prominent political figures in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Former Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II and incumbent City Councilor Malvin “Atoy” Torralba, both members of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), have expressed opposing views on the proposed project that aims to reclaim 153 hectares of coastal land from Bool to Cogon.
The project, which is estimated to cost nearly P12 billion, is being pushed by the Tagbilaran Waterfront Development Corporation (TWDC), a private consortium that includes the Gatchalian family, a prominent business clan in the country, and the Lite Shipping powerhouse.
Torralba, who is rumored to be running for mayor in the 2025 elections, said that the project is already moving without the knowledge and consent of the public.
Torralba accused the administration of City Mayor Jane Yap, wife of Baba, of “lipat-lipat,” meaning City Hall has been allegedly using schemes in order to deceive the Boholanos about the P12-billion reclamation project.
The city councilor pointed out that the project would cause environmental and social problems to the city.
Yap, on the other hand, said he supports the vision of the TWDC to transform the Tagbilaran Bay into a modern and vibrant waterfront city that would include a central business district, a marina, a health and education hub, and other amenities.
Yap, who is believed to be running for governor of Bohol in 2025 setting a potential clash with incumbent Gov. Aris Aumentado, said the project is not yet approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
For his part, Torralba stressed that he opposes the reclamation project because it would destroy the marine life and biodiversity of the bay, cause flooding and garbage accumulation in the coastal areas, displace the small fishermen and shell gatherers, and require the leveling off of a mountain or hill to fill up the sea.
Yap, who served as the city mayor for three consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022, said that he shelved the project during his administration after listening to the sentiments and objections of the residents and environmental experts.
Torralba said he considered the UNESCO’s declaration of Bohol as a Global Geopark, the first and only in the Philippines, which promotes the holistic preservation and sustainable development of the natural and cultural heritage of the province.
The reclamation project has also drawn criticism and opposition from various groups and sectors in the city, such as civil society organizations, academics, professionals, and religious leaders.
They have expressed their concerns over the possible negative impacts of the project on the environment, the livelihood, the food security, and the identity of the city.
The SP, which is composed of 12 members, has yet to deliberate and decide on the project.
The Office of Mayor Jane Cajes-Yap, the wife of Baba Yap, has requested the SP to pass a resolution approving the project.
The political rivalry between Yap and Torralba, who are both scions of influential families in the city, is expected to intensify as the 2025 elections draw near.
Yap is the son of John U. Yap, a businessman and owner of the Bohol Tropics Resort Club, while Torralba is the son of former Mayor Jose Torralba and former Councilor and ABC President Betty Torralba.
There is a speculation that if Torralba pursues his mayoral bid, Yap might change his mind and run for mayor again instead of governor.
Yap and Torralba are former classmates and friends since nursery up to high school at the Bohol Wisdom School and Divine Word College (now Holy Name University).
The reclamation issue is seen as a possible trigger for the clash between the two political camps in the city, which are both under the same party.
As the saying goes, in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, political observers have said.
ALREADY APPROVED?
The Tagbilaran City Council has reportedly approved a resolution giving a go-signal to a private corporation to proceed with its proposed 153 hectares of sea reclamation worth a whooping P12-billion budget.
And according to an environmental defender, the move of the City Government had sent shockwaves to those who are concerned about the future of Bohol, posing a million-dollar question to the city officials of Tagbilaran in a letter packed with alarm and warning:
“Is the P12B reclamation project worth the loss of 153 hectares of our seas and marine resources, loss of the fishermen’s livelihood, flooding of the coastal areas of both the city and Dauis municipality, loss of food source for the city residents, depriving of the residents from swimming in our sea, dumping of garbage into whatever is left of the sea, loss of the mountain/hill from which the soil that will be dumped into these will be taken, and loss of Bohol’s lone conferment of the GLOBAL GEOPARK status by UNESCO, all without prior study and consent by its residents and stakeholders?”
The Resolution, authored and sponsored by Tagbilaran City Councilor Nerio D. Zamora II, was passed on second and final reading on October 19, 2022, following a presentation and discussion of the project details.
The project involves the reclamation of 153 hectares of land along the shoreline of Tagbilaran City, which will be developed into a mixed-use area with hotels, condominiums, restaurants, marina, government hub, parks, and other facilities.
The project is estimated to cost P12 billion pesos, with proponent Tagbilaran Waterfront Development Corporation (TWDC) having a 41% share in the reclaimed land, while the government (LGU and PRA) will have a 51% share, inclusive of roads and open spaces.
The project was proposed by TWDC sometime in 2021 and was accepted by then City Mayor John Geesnell L. “Baba” Yap II, who conferred the original proponent status to the company.
The Resolution stated that the confirmation was necessary to recognize the status of TWDC under the new administration that took over after the 2022 national and local elections.
The Resolution also stated that the acceptance of the proposal does not bind the city to enter into the joint venture activity, but only authorizes the proponent to proceed with detailed negotiations on the terms and conditions of the project.
The project has also drawn some opposition from some groups who are concerned about its environmental and social impacts.
Some private citizens, media personalities, academics, and environmental protectors raised their issues during the council session and asked for public hearings and scoping to be conducted.
The proponent assured the body that they will comply with all the laws and regulations and conduct an environmental impact assessment during the processing of the environmental compliance certificate.
They also emphasized that all plans and designs are still subject to the approval of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
One of the city councilors, Jonas R. Cacho, abstained from voting on the resolution, citing his request for more time to study the project.
He also revealed his family connection with one of the stockholders of TWDC.
With one abstention and no objection from the other members of the body, P.R. No. 232-22 was approved on second and final reading.
The resolution stated that copies of it will be furnished to Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Censoria C. Yap, TWDC, the PPP Selection Committee, the City Legal Office, the City Planning and Development Coordinator Office, and all other offices concerned.
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