Author Topic: Oppositors to Panglao Reclamation Project Storm Provincial Capitol  (Read 1117 times)

MikeLigalig.com

  • FOUNDER
  • Webmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 33285
  • Please use the share icons below
    • View Profile
    • Book Your Tickets on a Budget
By the Bohol Chronicle

Oppositors to the controversial reclamation project off Panglao island stormed the provincial capitol building yesterday to manifest their strong objection to the project.

The presence of some 50 oppositors who "gatecrashed" into the pre-conference hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) yesterday did not deter provincial lawmakers to express their justification in passing a resolution to allow Gov. Erico
Aumentado to enter into a joint-venture and development agreement (JDVA) with Oasis Leisure Islands Development Inc. (OLIDI), one of two proponents competing to bag the multi-million reclamation deal.

The SP was about to start its regular session yesterday morning when the group led by former Panglao mayor Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan entered the conference hall where provincial board members and the vice governor had an executive session.

Organized as Panglaoanons Against Reclamation (Pare), its members coming from a cross-section of the community took turns in ventilating their strong opposition to the planned offshore real estate development.

One leader of the group blasted lawmakers branding them "ruthless predators of the environment".

The group threatened to boycott and campaign against the governor including members of the provincial board during the coming elections.

Agustin Cloribel, a vocal critic of the Panglao airport project and the proposed reclamation, delivered an impassioned speech pointing out that the offshore reclamation would adversely affect the livelihood of fishermen relying on their daily fish catch in the Bohol and Cebu Strait as Panglao Bay is a spawning area of marine species.
         
"Poor fishermen will not be the only ones greatly affected, this will also have a big impact on our fish supply in the province," he stressed.

Cloribel cited a 2007 marine biology research around Panglao Island which considered the area as a center of biodiversity.

Species found around the island are classified by scientists as rare to very rare and previously thought not to exist in the Philippines .

The oppositors asked the SP to recall the authority given to the governor and junk all plans to reclaim the shorelines of Panglao.

The group accused provincial lawmakers for its hasty approval of the measure saying they were dismayed the board members unanimously approved the authority to the governor, considering only its economic advantages as the government will not spend a single centavo for the project.

OLIDI is a consortium of developers entering into a joint venture with the provincial government to reclaim some 450 hectares off Panglao Island to be developed into a tourism and real estate property.

DEFENDS PROJECT

Despite protests held by sectors against the proposed offshore reclamation in Panglao Bay , provincial lawmakers yesterday stood their ground on a resolution giving authority to the governor to negotiate the terms for a joint-venture with one project proponent.

"We will not budge or back off from this undertaking. It is our duty to bring this matter to the public so that all issues thrown by sectors critical to the proposed reclamation can be ventilated," said Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera.

Defending the SP resolution, Herrera said the provincial board cannot back off from its responsibility to act on the request made by the governor to consider the reclamation proposal.

The provincial government stands to earn some P450-million from the joint venture deal. "We all have individual responsibilities to protect the environment, but it does not mean that we will not develop. Every human activity in itself has a corresponding environmental cost," the vice governor explained.

According to Herrera, the SP's resolution should be viewed as "a venue for all sectors to participate in a healthy discussion on the pro's and con's of the reclamation project".

Herrera urged Dumaluan's group to participate in the consultation process to be conducted by the project proponent as he assured the SP will still have the opportunity to review the provisions of the JDVA before the governor could sign the deal.

"It is our responsibility to protect and as much as possible restore our natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Your government officials need your help to ensure that the environment is protected and sustainable economic development is realized," the vice governor told the oppositors.

Herrera denied the authority was rushed as the SP conducted several meetings and discussions four months prior to its approval.

He said, the members of the SP were satisfied with the explanation of the proponent.

NO COMPROMISE

Yesterday's protest ended with the oppositors and lawmakers failing to reach a compromise.

However, Dumaluan told reporters that PARE will stage more protests against the reclamation.

He said SP members "obviously did not go through carefully the details of the proposal and scrutinized each component of the proposed project".

"How could they justify giving their go signal for the governor to negotiate the project, in terms of its environmental, social and economic costs?" Dumaluan asked.

PARE members said reclaiming hectares in an area with a delicate marine ecosystem would alter the natural flow of the sea current and the tide.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=24625.0
John 3:16-18 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

👉 GET easy and FAST online loan at www.tala.com Philippines

Book tickets anywhere for planes, trains, boats, bus at www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: