Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo has hit back at critics of his 1.7-hectare reclamation project which the City officially calls “rehabilitation/improvement of the Rizal Boulevard”.
Calling them “alarmists” and “so-called environmentalists”, Remollo said the critics have to create noise in order to continue to receive international funding.
He said he has yet to see proof that the project will disfigure the boulevard, create tsunamis, or endanger the lives of residents in the poblacion barangays.
Turning the tables on his accusers, Remollo said these “so-called environmentalists” were mum when similar projects were done in the past.
He cited the case of the reclamation of 3,000 square meters of land in barangay Canday-ong, where the Elementary School now stands.
He also pointed to the reclamation and road-widening activity from Piapi Beach to Silliman Beach in barangay Bantayan, as well as the extension of the boulevard there.
He said he is being proactive by undertaking shoreline protection projects, and not waiting for big waves to batter the shores of Dumaguete.
He said that all chartered cities and municipalities are actually authorized by national law to reclaim foreshore lands.
He cited Republic Acts 1899 and 5797 which expressly authorize local government units to undertake reclamation of their foreshore lands, and to take exclusive ownership of the reclaimed lot.
Section 1 of Republic Act 1899 states that “Authority is hereby granted to all municipalities, and chartered cities to undertake and carry out at their own expense the reclamation by dredging, filling, or other means, of any foreshore lands bordering them, and to establish, provide, construct, maintain and repair proper and adequate docking and harbor facilities as such municipalities and chartered cities…”
Furthermore, paragraph 41 of Section 28 of RA 5797 or the Revised Charter of the City of Dumaguete, provides that it has the power “…to undertake and carry out the reclamation of submerged land from the sea adjoining the city limits at the expenses of the city, the area thus reclaimed to belong exclusively to the city…”
“Thus, it would be difficult to label the project at the Rizal Boulevard to be contrary to law,” read the statement of the city information officer.
The Philippine Reclamation Authority, in a letter dated March 18, 2019, had called on the City to Cease and Desist from proceeding with the reclamation activity which it said was illegal, due to the lack of the required permits.
The MetroPost called the Philippine Reclamation Authority in Manila, and learned that the Cease and Desist Order was signed by Atty. Joselito D. Gonzales, PRA assistant general manager for Technical Services, in behalf of PRA General Manager Atty. Janilo Rubiato who was on leave.
Meanwhile, all the 30 punong barangays of Dumaguete have expressed their “full and unequivocal” support to the administration of Mayor Remollo.
In a resolution, the barangay captains said they are supporting all his priority projects” to include the rehabilitation/improvement of the Rizal Boulevard.
Liga ng mga Barangay President Dione Amores echoed the Mayor’s explanation that the activity is actually part of the “shoreline protection to prevent erosion and destruction caused by waves and storm surges threatening the highway, establishments and residences along the beachfront.”
The resolution even went on to stress that Remollo won overwhelmingly in all 30 barangays, a manifestation of the popular and broad support that his administration has earned from the general public.
They also said the local officials and the public have been thoroughly and consistently consulted of the initiatives and projects of the City administration since 2016. (Juancho Gallarde and Dems Demecillo)
