LIKE the proposed reclamation project of Consolacion, Cebu which was opposed by different sectors, various groups, including environmental advocates, are “up in arms” against the local government unit (LGU) of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental over the proposed P23 billion reclamation project to be constructed through a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with a private corporation.
Dubbed “Smart City,” the 184-hectare reclamation project in partnership with E.M Cuerpo Inc., the developer, is envisioned to be a mixed-used commercial and residential area featuring malls, condominiums, hospitals, business hubs and a docking port for a planned yacht club, among others. But this multibillion-peso project has been opposed by various groups. They said the project was deliberated on hastily and would destroy marine life and displace fisherfolks.
But at least Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo has been transparent about the project by conducting a series of consultations among various groups, especially the affected sectors, and by divulging the City’s project partner.
Remollo said it would now be up to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Reclamation Authority to decide on the project’s fate, adding that he is willing to accept any outcome.
I appreciate the attitude and stand of Remollo on this issue. He listens to the sentiments of his constituents and will abide by whatever the agencies, which have jurisdiction on the matter, decide. Remollo’s attitude is in contrast to the attitude shown by Consolacion Mayor Joannes “Joyjoy” Alegado, who is also planning to construct a similar reclamation project in his town in Barangay Tayud dubbed “Seafront City.”
Unlike Remollo, Alegado has not been transparent about his plan. Until now, he has yet to disclose the incorporators of the LGU’s partner in this project, the La Consolacion Seafront Development Corp. (LCSDC). Is this a separate entity or an Alegado family-owned corporation? If LCSDC is a separate entity, is it true that its starting capital is a measly P10 million? If this is true, can this company develop 235.80 hectares of a coastal area that has been the home of a thriving shipyard industry servicing the Visayas and Mindanao clientele? I doubt it.
In his column in The Manila Times last July 10, 2021, Mauro Samonte raised the issue of LCSDC’s legitimacy. He also alleged that Alegado failed to produce standard documents normally required of such endeavors like the project proposal of the LCSDC and other attachments, the proposed JVA of the Municipal Government with LCSDC, the notice of award and the proposed ordinance of the Municipality relative to the project approval.
I tried to search the background of LCSDC through its website, but, unfortunately, I have not found its website. What? A big developer without its own website? With this, I also doubt the legitimacy of this corporation. What is its track record on land development?
The biggest blunder of Mayor Alegado was his failure to conduct a series of consultations among affected residents and shipyard operators. Yes, there was a sort of what they termed a “Notice of Public Scoping” conducted last January, but it was a one-sided dialogue because the affected residents, especially the fisherfolk, were not given enough time to air their side. The shipyard operators were shocked when they received a notice, giving them the ultimatum to operate for only six months when in fact they paid their business permits for the whole year, which prompted them to go to court.
Some of the affected fisherfolk have sought the assistance of my good friend fellow broadcaster Edward Ligas, who champions the causes of the urban poor sector.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 has called on all stakeholders and government agencies to carefully study the impact of the proposed project.
“We hope that the Consolacion project is backed up by sound financial and business plans, as well as environmental impact studies. We also hope that their financial partner has relevant experience and financial muscle for the project,” said Gordon Alan Joseph, chairman of the Infrastructure and Power Sub-committee of the RDC 7, in a statement released to the Philippine News Agency. You see, Joseph also doubts the financial capability of LCSDC.
The project’s proponent also failed to request the RDC 7 for an endorsement. The project has also not been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority. Apparently, Alegado took a “short cut” with the Municipal Council that is headed by his mother, Teresa “Nene” Alegado. But despite the lack of consultation and requirements, it seems the mayor is confident that his ambitious project will be approved. If approved, is he sure there will be people willing to invest in the project? Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova have their own reclamation projects which are more accessible to investors because these are near the airport and seaports of Cebu City compared to Consolacion. Wala pa man gani mangahalin nang ubang lots sa South Road Properties (SRP) nga strategic gyud kaayo sa Cebu City, kana pa kahang Consolacion? (Some lots at the SRP, which is a strategic location in Cebu City, have not even been sold yet. How much more lots in Consolacion?)
By the way, what’s the stand of Cebu Sixth District Provincial Board (PB) Member Glenn Soco on this issue? Consolacion belongs to the sixth district.
It seems Soco has been tight-lipped on this issue. Before he was elected to the PB, Soco was the chairman of the Infrastructure and Utilities Committee of RDC 7, where he indiscriminately blocked infrastructure projects, especially in Cebu City. Can we hear Soco’s take on this? Boss Glenn, hilum pa man ka sa tirana?