UP scientists oppose reclamation in Aklan
BY NESTOR P. BURGOS JR. / Philippine Daily Inquirer

Marine scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) have raised the alarm over a P1-billion reclamation project in mainland Aklan’s jump-off point to Boracay Island, which, they say, may adversely affect the white sand shore of the country’s premier tourist destination.
In a 17-page report, the scientists urged that the project “should be avoided” because this could alter water current patterns, especially in areas north of the jetty port in Barangay Caticlan in Malay town, where the sea channel toward Boracay is at its narrowest.
The provincial government began reclamation and development work in Caticlan in December last year. It plans to expand the port facilities, recover coastline areas and put up commercial buildings for offices, a health and wellness center and other businesses.
The project will cost P260 million in its initial phase and P785 million more in the succeeding phases.
Provincial officials say it will cover 2.64 hectares of land in Caticlan, but the memorandum of agreement that the local government signed with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on May 17, 2010, involves 36.82 ha in Caticlan and 3.18 ha in Boracay—or a total of 40 ha.
Business and tourism leaders in Boracay are opposing the project because of its possible adverse impact on the world-renowned island-resort. In fact, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Boracay Island commissioned the UP marine biologists to study its possible effects on the environment.
The study, funded by the Department of Tourism, was undertaken by Dr. Cesar Villanoy, Fernando Siringan, Olivia Cabrera and Riovie Ramos of the Marine Environmental Resources Foundation based at the UP Marine Science Institute in Diliman, Quezon City.
The scientists conducted field studies and tests on November 23-25, 2010, in Caticlan and Boracay, and used computer-generated simulation models.
Faster current speed
They found that while the reclamation project would naturally result to a narrower Caticlan-Boracay strait, the speed of the sea current will significantly increase near Boracay.
Villanoy, head of the study team, said the altered water pattern could increase the volume of sediments swept toward the island and eventually smother and kill nearby coral reefs—the source of its famous white sand.
“The supply of white sand will be impaired or even stopped if the coral reefs suffocate and die,” he told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.
But Villanoy pointed out that more intensive and longer studies were still needed to determine a comprehensive impact of the reclamation project. Their study, he said, was limited to its effects on the Caticlan-Boracay channel.
The study recommended steps to ensure a continuous supply of sand to the Boracay coast and the protection and conservation of habitats that contribute to such supply.
Gov. Carlito Marquez has insisted that the project had been deemed environmentally safe after it was issued an environment certificate of compliance on April 27, 2010, by Oscar Cabanayan, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau.
Sought for comment on the UP study, Marquez said the provincial government would consider the results and recommendations, but added that the scientists’ conclusion did not warrant a stop to the project.
The provincial government would be commissioning its own scientific study as part of the requirement of the DENR and the PRA, he added.
“The project is there already. We do not see any need to stop it,” Marquez told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.
Loubelle Cann, president of the Boracay Foundation Inc., said she hoped that the study would clarify the environmental implications of the project.