Sibulan Mayor Maning Diputado said he felt bypassed by proponents of the plan to extend and expand the present airport from its present east-west orientation to a north to south orientation.
The mayor told SkyNews that the project was presented to develop the airport without a thorough study involving environmental concerns, security and social acceptability of the project.
Diputado was reportedly informed that the century-old acacia trees in Agan-an, Sibulan would have to be cut if this plan will push through.
“I cannot, in conscience, allow the uprooting of these trees that have greatly contributed in mitigating the effects of climate change,” the Mayor said.
He said the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) never discussed the problems of congestion, waste disposal, pollution, security, acceptance by residence, among others, when the plan was presented last year.
Meanwhile, Rep. Pryde Henry Teves told a Dumaguete radio station that a public hearing will be scheduled soon on the plan to relocate the airport to the town of Bacong.
Diputado said he has reportedly received unconfirmed reports that the project will be transferred to Bacong but has not received any official communication on it from the agencies concerned. (SGR)
