The Dumaguete City Council is inviting officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Reclamation Authority, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Tuesday’s Question Hour at the City Council session to shed light on the safety of marine life in the ongoing shoreline project in barangays Looc and Piapi.
“We have no question that these projects are important and we understand that there is no reclamation involved in this activity, but we just wish to ensure that marine life will also be protected,” he said.
Arbas also questioned the act of Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo in issuing a Letter of No Objection to the said projects without authority from the City Council.
He said he learned this after receiving a letter from Dr. Frances Yap, a good governance advocate, revealing that the Mayor had issued a LONO dated January 7, 2025.
The two projects are entitled Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (Sipag) – Flood Mitigation Structures Protecting Major/Strategic Public Buildings/Facilities – Construction of Shore Protection, Barangay Looc to Barangay Piapi, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, RO7.
In his letter, Mayor Remollo said “the City expresses no objection and fully supports the project…” but Arbas said such action needs authority from the City Council as stipulated under RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) Section 455.1.vi..
“It appears that the honorable mayor took it upon himself to issue a certificate of no objection to the Philippine Retirement Authority and this is the same document that is being used by the DPWH with regard to the shoreline protection project in barangays Looc and Piapi,” he said.
The Council received a request for a Letter of No Objection from Engr. Noli M. Alcantara, District Engineer of DPWH Negros Oriental 2nd Engineering District (NOED 2) dated January 7.
Members of the good governance and environmental groups and other interested parties are also requested to attend and present their positions.
Asst. District Engr. Ade Luz Vicoy told the media in an interview last August 12 that they consulted with the Mayor on this project and he wanted the design to align with the Dumaguete City port so that the road could be used by trucks going to port.
But the congressman said he is uncomfortable with a reclamation activity. He wanted a breakwater instead so we revised the plan to be a breakwater, Vicoy said. (with a report from Gary Rosales/Kinaiyahan)
