OpinionsTree HuggerFrom “foreshore protection” to reclamation

From “foreshore protection” to reclamation

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Because there was sand and gravel from the Okoy River in Sibulan that was available for free for the local government of Dumaguete to use, the bright idea suddenly came upon the people concerned to put up a beach volleyball area at the southern end of the boulevard near the Press Club building.

This information was shared by Councilor JoeKen Arbas during the City Council session last Thursday.

Sure enough, a small extension of the beach was immediately expanded, big enough to hold two volleyball courts; games were played there, drawing spectators who apparently enjoyed the sporting activity.

And then before anyone realized it, more heavy equipment began to appear on the beach, heaving big boulders, scouring the sea sand, raising the level of the land.

Passersby actually noticed this, including not a few who asked questions under their breath, but could not seem to do anything about it.

But oh, yes, Dr. Angel Alcala, the country’s National Scientist, apparently met with Mayor Felipe Remollo last year, warning the good Mayor of changes in the sea current which could scour the sand from one place, and permanently deposit it on another area along the boulevard.

I wonder how that fact alone was considered in this project, if indeed it was?

For those who were not aware, this project was named “Foreshore Protection”.

But really, for all intents and purposes, this is nothing but a Reclamation of the sea, meant to make way for land that could hold eight beach volleyball courts, with the end-view of attracting the Southeast Asian Games in the year 2020 here in Dumaguete.

Apparently, this part of the plan was just made known to the City Council two weeks ago on June 13.

The project cost? Around P37 million.

The matter of the Environmental Compliance Certificate, which was issued only on June 18 by the Regional Director of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, also came into question.

The ECC specified a proposed “rehabilitation/improvement” of about 17,715 square meters of Rizal Blvd., including the installation of 36 lamp posts, and 234 square meters of “containment seawall”.

While the ECC was issued only on June 18, reclamation work had already been going on for at least six months.

What made this matter worse was that the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the sole government agency mandated to regulate all reclamation projects throughout the country, had issued to Dumaguete a Cease & Desist Order on March 18, after inspecting the area in February this year.

While a copy of the Cease & Desist Order is circulating among the media and local environmentalists, the City Engineer and the City Planning Officer have denied having seen this document from the Philippine Reclamation Authority, when questioned by Councilor Manuel Arbon.

It is very clear that work on this “ongoing unauthorized reclamation” project at the boulevard had continued even when the Philippine Reclamation Authority noted that about eight requirements have yet to be complied with.

So why is the City allowing the reclamation project to go on, even without first complying with all the requirements? That is like putting the carriage before the horse!

But what is new? That seems to be the style of this local administration.

I visited the City Planning & Development Office on May 23 and asked to see the plan for this reclamation project. I was told that their Office does not possess such plans.

How is that possible?! I was nonchalantly told to go ask the City Engineer’s Office if I really wanted to know.

This Foreshore Protection/Reclamation project is materially changing the face of Dumaguete — which is the promenade at the Rizal Boulevard.

And yet, NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION was ever conducted.

I warn my fellow Dumaguetenos, by the time this reclamation is completed, the sea will no longer be visible from Bethel Hotel up to the Press Club building. All view would have been lost.

The cooling effect of the sea will have been replaced by heat from the concrete and sand on the reclaimed area.

And all for P37 million and eight beach volleyball courts.

During the City Council session held June 13, some members of the group Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental were present. Leo Mamicpic spoke of our collective concerns, including considering that sea levels are expected to rise because of climate change. Why would a project such as a bunch of volleyball courts not be built on higher ground?

How is this reclamation project going to stand morally? Carmelite nun Sr. Rosa Fulleros also spoke to ask about the priorities of this City government. Is this luxurious project for eight beach volleyball courts truly a priority? What about the stench and the ever-mounting garbage problem of the City? What is being done about our garbage?

Attracting sports events in bigger and bigger measure, that simply creates more trash and more traffic in this already-critical situation are clearly priorities gone awry.

After all, former City Planning Officer. Engr. Josephine Antonio cautions us, the economic gains from tourism-related and sporting events only actually represent five percent of the City’s income.

We question the manner this City administration wants to latch on to their ambitious projects in the name of Development.

_______________________________________

Author’s email:
[email protected]

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