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August 12, 2010
AKLAN SP REACTS ON BFI’S OPPOSITION TO MARINA PROJECT, REITERATES SUPPORT TO SAME PROJECT
By Richie D. Oloroso KALIBO, AKLAN- THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF AKLAN HAS DESCRIBED THE APPREHENSION OF THE BORACAY FOUNDATION, INC. EMBODIED IN ITS RESOLUTION NO. 001 SERIES OF 2010 STRONGLY OPPOSING THE P260-M MARINA PROJECT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AS MERE PERCEPTIONS AND GENERALIZATIONS WHICH ARE NOT ANCHORED ON DEFINITE SCIENTIFIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STUDIES.
IN CLARIFYING THE POSITION OF THE PROVINCIAL LEGISLATIVE BODY IN RESOLUTION NO.010-034, SERIES OF 2010, THE SP CITED SECTION 17 (3) (VII) OF REPUBLIC ACT 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AUTHORIZING ONLY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE RECLAMATION PROJECTS.
IN THE SAME RESOLUTION, THE SP STRESSED THAT THE RECLAMATION PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDING FACILITIES BOTH FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE OFFICES OF THE VARIOUS PRIVATE RESORT ESTABLISHMENTS IN BORACAY, BANKS, AIRLINE COMPANIES, TRAVEL AGENCIES, TRANSPORT COOPERATIVES, “ONE-STOP-SHOP” OFFICES OF VARIOUS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS DOT, DENR, MARINA, COAST GUARD, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, BUREAU OF QUARANTINE, BURERAU OF CUSTOMS, DSWD AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES.
ON JUNE 26, 2010, THE BFI THROUGH RESOLUTION NO.001 EXPRESSED STRONG OPPOSITION AGAINST THE SAID PROJECT DUBBED AS THE ENHANCEMENT AND RECOVERY OF OLD CATICLAN COASTLINE AND RECLAMATION OF PORTION OF THE FORESHORE AREA FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES OF THE MARINA PROJECT,CITING ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ON BORACAY ISLAND. THE MARINA PROJECT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WILL REQUIRE THE RECLAMATION OF SOME 37 HECTARES IN THE COASTLINE OF CATICLAN, MALAY, AKLAN AND SOME 3 HECTARES OF THE BORACAY SHORELINE.
IN THE SP RESOLUTION SUSTAINING THE PROJECT CITED STUDIES AND EVALUATION BY COMPETENT AND PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMETALISTS WHICH WOULD SHOW THAT THE SAID PROJECT INVOLVES BEACH ZONE RESTORATION THROUGH RECOVERY OF THE OLD CATICAN COASTLINE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROTECTIVE MARINE DEVELOPMENTS TO PROVIDE PROTECTION OF THE SHORELINE OF CATICLAN AGAINST BEACH EROSION DUE TO HIGH TIDAL WAVE, EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING.
FURTHER, THE AKLAN SP ALSO CITED THE PERMIT GRANTED BY PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE RECLAMATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY DENR AS ADEQUATE STIDIES TO PROVE THAT THE PROJECT IS ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY.
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED THE MECHANISM FOR BOND FLOTATION OF P260-M TO FINANCE PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT GUARANTEE CORPORATION. SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF THE PROJECT WILL REQUIRE MORE THAN P700-M.
EARLIER, THE AKLAN SP HAS ALSO SET ASIDE THE RESOLUTION OF SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF MALAY OPPOSING THE PROJECT FOR LACK OF TECHNICAL AND LEGAL BASIS.
DURING ITS 6TH REGULAR SESSION HELD YESTERDAY, THE SP SUMMONED EXPERTS OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BFI, THE DENR AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF MALAY FOR INTERACTION.
BOTH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT EXPERTS AND THE BFI AGREED TO EXCHANGE EXISTING STUDIES TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROJECT CAN BECOME INIMICAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING BORACAY ISLAND.
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