Published by the Bohol Chronicle
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan officially handed down its decision last Friday scrapping the proposed controversial man-made island project within Panglao Bay-- as the gigantic project since its inception -generated mounting objections from the cross-section of the community.
Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim said the lawmakers, during last Friday's regular session, approved three measures recommended by the joint environment-tourism committee presented during the regular session which virtually ended the "debate" on whether the project is destructive or not to the environment. A joint venture agreement was inked during the tail-end of the term of then Gov. Erico Aumentado between the Oasis Leisure Islands and Development, Inc. (OLIDI) and the provincial government.
The law making body approved provincial Resolution to cancel/rescind the “Joint Venture Development Agreement entered into with Oasis Leisure Islands and Development Inc. (OLIDI).†The proposed project “presents a clear and present danger to the healthy biodiversity and sensitive marine environment within the offshore area of Panglao Bay,†the committee recommendation said.
The second measure authorized the Governor's Office to “withdraw the application for reclamation filed with the Philippines Reclamation Authority,†said board member Atty. Abeleon Damalerio, who chairs the environment committee in his joint report. The SP also approved the third Resolution “opposing the establishment of any form of reclamation within the shores of Panglao Island,†said Damalerio. Provincial board members Damalerio, tourism chairperson Godofreda Tirol, tourism vice-chairman Dr. Romulo Cepedoza and environment committee member Dr. Beinvenido Molina signed the 8-page joint committee report.
However, board member Engr. Gerardo Garcia who is closely identified with former Gov. Aumentado did not affix his signature in the said report as certified by stenographers Josefina Gulle, Diodora Acedo and attested by committee secretary Romeo Jaum. SP's junking of the proposed reclamation project was based on narrative findings on legal, social/economic and environmental considerations as reported by Damalerio.
Contrary to claims describing the project as “a juicy proposal,†the SP found that it is a “grossly disadvantageous transaction" since the province has “totally surrendered its environmental and zoning responsibilities†to the project proponent. In addition, the SP said that the province “will be incurring costs†that are not being considered by the proponent. OLIDI, according to the lawmakers is "not qualified to undertake†the project since it has no track record being just newly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a capitalization of only P12 million represented by a group under Norris Oculam.
The decision to scrap the proposed reclamation was anchored on the strongly worded recommendation done by a Manila based group of top-notch Boholanos composed of “physical, economic, political scientists and legal experts,†who expressed a strong objection to the project. Even before the environmental or feasibility study could take place as requested by the proponent, they have this to say.
“We are among those vehemently opposed to such reclamation project, knowing fully well the breadth of its potentially damaging ecological impacts. Its impact on marine biodiversity in the area, not to mention other unforeseen effects because of human interference with the natural sea currents along a narrow channel ( in the site, the Panglao Bay alluded to above among our provisos, where said project is proposed to be located) are extremely worrisome.†On legal effects, the SP also argued that the authority given to then governor Aumentado “was only for negotiation.â€
“No subsequent Resolution was passed by the (SP) before for the governor to enter into and sign the JVDA.†Hence, it concluded that the JVDA “is unenforceable against the provincial government†and OLIDI “cannot demand from the current administration confirmation of the reclamation phase.†SP's opposition to stop the project has reinforced the contention of Panglao lawmakers when the latter passed Municipal Resolution No. 140, 2011, series of 2010 on October 10, 2010, “strongly objecting the establishment of any form of reclamation projects within the municipal waters of Panglao, Bohol,†considering that the area where the project is to be undertaken is “haven of coral diversity and a sanctuary of diverse marine resources.â€
The Panglao lawmakers measure against the project is far from the position of Mayor Benedicto Alcala who was reportedly quoted to have wanted an environmental study first be conducted before turning down the project Earlier, the past SP (during 2007-2010) has passed provincial Resolution No. 2009-633, “authorizing Governor Erico Aumentado to represent the provincial government of Bohol and enter into a negotiation for a joint venture and development agreement (JVDA) with the Oasis Leisure Islands Development Inc. on the proposed reclamation project, off Panglao Bay, Panglao, Bohol, provided, however, that the provisions and amendment to the JVDA as proposed by the provincial legal office shall be made an integral part of the same (JVDA).â€
This became the basis of the OLIDI to pursue the project even as it was amenable for the conduct first of the feasibility study as required by the afore-quoted Resolution. No. 2009-633. Resolution No. 2009-633 provides that the Bohol environment policy should be the guiding principle in pursuing the project, including the province's commitment to growth and conservation of its natural resources and compliance with the relevant environmental regulations and other legal pre-requisites.
Also, then governor Aumentado said in his letter-endorsement to the SP that “no reclamation activity will be commenced unless appropriate social preparation activities among the stakeholders and affected persons shall have been conducted.' He also pointed out that the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be adhered and Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We humbly believe the proposed project reclamation into man-made islands of Panglao Bay will enhance the province's vision of being a prime eco-cultural destination by providing readily available land for development by players in the industry,†said Oculam in his letter to Aumentado.
Oculam said that the project will bring in more tourists and “bring enormous benefits†to the tourism industry here in terms of “economic development, business opportunities and employment generation.†It was expected the increase of visitors, now numbering more than half a million, will need for the opening of tourist sites, products and facilities. Reacting to the SP decision, Oculam said that his group will explore other legal measures to be taken against the provincial law making body for scrapping the supposedly joint venture agreement.He said the move can be perceived as an "anti-investment" stance of the provincial government, he said. GIGANTIC PROJECT The location is composed of cluster of islands.
The first one of about 150 hectares is intended for commercial and recreation areas, convention centers, hotels and other facilities; the second island (150 has.) is for institutional and residential, spas and medical tourism facilities; and the third one (75 has.) would house for small commercial establishments such dive and souvenir shops and apartment for people who work here. The fourth island (70 has.) would be reserved for nature's park or camping grounds or fishing for commercial use.
Here, “private sector can be tapped for coral planting and other marine-based initiatives for the conservation and protection of the environment.†The fifth cluster of islets (5 has.) can be acquired privately, the paper said.
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Topic: SP Junks Panglao Reclamation Project (Read 3436 times)