The Cebu provincial government downplayed reports that it is interested in undertaking the proposed 400-hectare Mactan North Reclamation and Development Project (MNRDP).
Capitol consultant on information Rory Jon Sepulveda said the provincial government is not actually opposed to the project but wants the city to comply with the process.
“This has been repeatedly said by the governor nga wala siyay pagsupak sa maong proyekto. Nisapak lang siya tungod kay wala moagi sa saktong proseso ang maong proyekto,” Sepulveda said.
During a gathering last Friday, the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas failed to pass a resolution deferring the implementation of the controversial project for no quorum.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the RDC chairperson, however said a special RDC meeting will be called for such purpose.
The RDC will also ask the Philippine Reclamation Authority to consider the inputs from the RDC in the approval of the project.
Lapu-Lapu City administrator Teodulo Ybañez raised the appeal of the city government to RDC members present during the meeting not to vote for the passage of the resolutions, contending that their approval will derail the development of the city.
NEDA regional director and RDC vice chairperson Marlene Rodriguez confirmed that the Lapu-Lapu City government has no endorsement from RDC, although Lapu-Lapu City lawyer Michael Dignos insisted that they have an endorsement but could not present such document.
The feasibility study of the project, Rodriguez said, will have to be evaluated by the RDC.
In its proposed resolution, the RDC explained that it has special interest in the MNRDP since it will have navigational impact at the Mactan Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping lanes.
There are concerns that the reclamation project would constrict the channel and make navigation in the area more difficult, leading to more accidents, the resolution said.
Garcia said the provincial government has its own Cebu Reclamation Authority which was not even informed about the project, which will cost P10 billion.
The proposed reclamation will form a small islet covering the offshore land of adjacent barangays of Ibo, Buaya, Mactan and Punta Engaño. Three bridges will connect the islet to the mainland. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM