Aklan Marina project under ‘fire’Rodson defends multi-million project from critics
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan - Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Rodson Mayor has defended the proposed multi-million Aklan Marina project of the provincial government amid mounting protests from a group of businessmen in Boracay and the local government of Malay.
Mayor filed a resolution with SP member Nemesio Neron on Wednesday regular session clarifying “the unfounded apprehensions of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) and ignore and set aside its resolution for lack of basis and inimical to the development of the province of Aklan.”
“The fears of BFI on the negative impacts of the project are mere perceptions and generalities and were not anchored on definite scientific, social and political studies. The provincial government conducted adequate studies and consultation with tourism stakeholders and did not neglect the services and health facilities in Boracay during the inception and before the provincial government embarked on the project,” Mayor said.
Aside from BFI, the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay also approved a resolution denying the request for endorsement of the Aklan Marina project
“The local sanggunian has manifested its opposition to the provincial government project due to lack of public consultation and the strong opposition from local residents, barangay officials of Caticlan and the private sectors considering the environmental impact of the project since the provincial government will reclaim the beach portions of Caticlan and Boracay Island,” the Malay Resolution No. 13-2010 stated last July 27.
BFI said the project investment estimated at P250-million (Phase I) and P785-million (Phase II) is seen by "the private sector as not a sound financial plan due to high cost of investment financed through bond flotation, a scheme that most likely financially burden the tourists, taxpayers and other stakeholders."
"The provincial government through its officials has desired to undertake bigger income generating activities which include the reclamation of the vast area of coastline in Caticlan 36.820 hectares and 3.18 hectares in Boracay. The project has undermined the process of a more democratised consultation with the stakeholders," the resolution of BFI stated.
Instead of the reclamation project, the provincial government, the BFI stressed, should focus for the improvement of provincial road networks, the existing Boracay hospital and the jetty port terminal building and development of an all weather jetty port to accommodate sea travel during habagat season.
The group also cited the apprehensions and worries of its members of the economic, social, environmental sustainability and political impact of the development projects in Caticlan.
"The government has no business in doing business. The proposed investment is a show of direct competition to the existing business operators, reduce the value of the real property and displace the fisherfolks, pump boat operators, outriggered sail boat operators and other micro business operators," they said.
The project might also have lasting and critical effect on Boracay’s geographical location and natural assets that could bring the famous island into extinction.
NOT FORESHORE LEASE
SP Mayor, however, contradicted the resolution of BFI, saying, the group of businessmen in Boracay Island overlooked the proposed reclamation project of the provincial government in Caticlan.
"Perhaps they should realize that Caticlan now is overcrowded and it needs expansion. With targeted tourists of one million come 2013, the reclamation and Marina project of the provincial government will answer the influx of tourists in Boracay Island. BFI resolution, therefore, is inimical to the development of the province of Aklan," Mayor said.
Mayor explained that the provincial government is not applying for foreshore lease, instead, the project involves the reclamation of portions of Caticlan coastline. A foreshore land, Mayor added, the rights of ownership remains with the national government while the provincial government will soon have full ownership for the proposed reclaimed lands in Barangay Caticlan as approved by Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the agency tasked to regulate all reclamation projects in the country.
As the Aklan SP referred his resolution to the committees on environment and laws and ordinances, Mayor also decided to inhibit himself from participation in the SP hearings on the controversial Aklan Marina project.
Aside from BFI, the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay also approved a resolution denying the request for endorsement of the Aklan Marina project
“The local sanggunian has manifested its opposition to the provincial government project due to lack of public consultation and the strong opposition from local residents, barangay officials of Caticlan and the private sectors considering the environmental impact of the project since the provincial government will reclaim the beach portions of Caticlan and Boracay Island,” the Malay Resolution No. 13-2010 stated last July 27.
BFI said the project investment estimated at P250-million (Phase I) and P785-million (Phase II) is seen by "the private sector as not a sound financial plan due to high cost of investment financed through bond flotation, a scheme that most likely financially burden the tourists, taxpayers and other stakeholders."
"The provincial government through its officials has desired to undertake bigger income generating activities which include the reclamation of the vast area of coastline in Caticlan 36.820 hectares and 3.18 hectares in Boracay. The project has undermined the process of a more democratised consultation with the stakeholders," the resolution of BFI stated.
Instead of the reclamation project, the provincial government, the BFI stressed, should focus for the improvement of provincial road networks, the existing Boracay hospital and the jetty port terminal building and development of an all weather jetty port to accommodate sea travel during habagat season.
The group also cited the apprehensions and worries of its members of the economic, social, environmental sustainability and political impact of the development projects in Caticlan.
"The government has no business in doing business. The proposed investment is a show of direct competition to the existing business operators, reduce the value of the real property and displace the fisherfolks, pump boat operators, outriggered sail boat operators and other micro business operators," they said.
The project might also have lasting and critical effect on Boracay’s geographical location and natural assets that could bring the famous island into extinction.
NOT FORESHORE LEASE
SP Mayor, however, contradicted the resolution of BFI, saying, the group of businessmen in Boracay Island overlooked the proposed reclamation project of the provincial government in Caticlan.
"Perhaps they should realize that Caticlan now is overcrowded and it needs expansion. With targeted tourists of one million come 2013, the reclamation and Marina project of the provincial government will answer the influx of tourists in Boracay Island. BFI resolution, therefore, is inimical to the development of the province of Aklan," Mayor said.
Mayor explained that the provincial government is not applying for foreshore lease, instead, the project involves the reclamation of portions of Caticlan coastline. A foreshore land, Mayor added, the rights of ownership remains with the national government while the provincial government will soon have full ownership for the proposed reclaimed lands in Barangay Caticlan as approved by Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the agency tasked to regulate all reclamation projects in the country.
As the Aklan SP referred his resolution to the committees on environment and laws and ordinances, Mayor also decided to inhibit himself from participation in the SP hearings on the controversial Aklan Marina project.
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