SRP title not yet issued to Cebu City, DENR says

The controversial South Reclamation Project title has not yet been issued to the Cebu City government, says the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7.

The clarification of DENR regional director Julian Amador came after Talisay City legal officer Aurora Econg questioned streamers in Cebu City that read: "Welcome home, President Arroyo and Thank you for the SRP title."

But SRP manager and Cebu City planning officer Nigel Paul Villarete explained that the streamers were for the presidential proclamation that transferred ownership of the SRP to the Cebu City government.

Villarete said Talisay City should "not interfere with the streamers hanging in Cebu City, unless they want us to also interfere with streamers placed in Talisay."

In his letter to Econg, Amador said his office is still conducting ground investigation and verification to gather relevant information on the SRP matter.

"This office has not yet expedited the issuance of special patent for SRP," Amador said.

Econg stressed that Talisay City is not claiming ownership of the SRP, of which 53.44 hectares allegedly extended into Talisay's territory. - Garry B. Lao