Solon on Panglao Reclamation project: Legal, advantageous to Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  – Contrary to the decision of the present Bohol Provincial Board, Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district) argued that the joint venture and development agreement (JVDA) he entered into with Oasis Leisure Island Development, Inc. (OLIDI), during his term as governor, is legal and advantageous to the province.

The project will involve construction of one to four artificial islands measuring from 100 hectares to around 400 hectares on the shallow part of Panglao Bay.

Aumentado, while saying he respected the decision of the PB and left the next move to the OLIDI, explained that the resolution issued by the previous PB granted him authority to negotiate with the company and the authority to “conclude the JVDA”.

The congressman said he knew already from the start that the PB already pre-decided the measures against the proposed reclamation project, alleging that the committee hearings and referrals were pre-designed to lead into its scrapping.

Aumentado said he just kept silent to avoid creating differences with the provincial leaders because he wanted to maintain harmonious relationship and unity with them. He however suggested that, as part of due process, the PB must furnish OLIDI copies of the three resolutions they approved last Friday to junk the project.

The PB earlier approved three resolutions scrapping the Panglao project and any other reclamation project based on the recommendation of the committees on environment and natural resources protection, chaired by PB Member Abel Damalerio, and on tourism, chaired by PB Member Godofreda Tirol.

One resolution cancelled/rescind the JVDA with OLIDI, the second one authorized the Governor’s Office to withdraw the application for reclamation filed before the Philippine Reclamation Authority, and the third resolution opposing the establishment of any form of reclamation within the shores of Panglao Island.

Damalerio, in his committee report, said the project poses “clear and present danger to the healthy biodiversity and sensitive marine environment within the offshore area of Panglao Bay.”

He also said the PB found that OLIDI has no competence to implement the project having no track record in undertaking similar projects aside from lacking of the financial capacity considering that it has only P12 million capitalization. OLIDI only registered with the Security and Exchange Commission a few months prior to the signing of the JVDA, he said.

The PB committees also found out the project to be highly disadvantageous to the province with the P1-million per hectare assessment on the valuation of the area that will be given up for the project. Damalerio said there would be expenses that the provincial government, as project co-proponent, will incur such as the processing of permits and other documents and even the access roads or road right of way. (FREEMAN)