DThe Sangguniang Panlalawigan gave the green light last week for a reclamation project in Panglao to go ahead even if it was expected to generate heated debates. Notwithstanding the expected opposition, proponents were confident that they can hurdle the bar of public opinion since environmental issues were properly addressed to mitigate the impact of the project to marine ecology.  Save for one dissenting vote, the SP approval won bi-partisan support of the legislative body assembled as a whole. Called as the Panglao Bay Reclamation Project off Panglao's shoreline, the SP's nod signaled the entry of the provincial government as a joint venture partner of the multi-billion undertaking.

However, V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera, SP presiding officer, cautioned the proponents to comply the nitty-gritty requirements to preserve and protect the environment in the affected area.  The SP has sanctioned the go-ahead signal through a resolution authorizing Gov. Erico Aumentado to represent the provincial government with project proponent Oasis Leisure Islands and Development Inc. (OLIDI) in dealing with the proposed off-shore project. The resolution provided that Bohol environment policy should be the guiding principle in pursuing the project, including the province's commitment to growth and conservation of its natural resources and compliance with the relevant environmental regulations and other legal pre-requisites. In asking for a letter of authority, the governor said that “no reclamation activity will be commenced unless appropriate social preparation activities among the stakeholders and affected persons shall have been conducted”. The governor also pointed out that the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be adhered and Environmental Clearance Commitment or Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The proposed project site, which aims to acquire 450 hectares of landfill, is located within the vicinity of the southwest coast of Panglao town, along Puntod islet, with an average depth of only 0.4 meter, saying it makes it convenient for land reclamation,” the proponent said. The provincial government is very careful in dealing with this kind of project but at the same time “let us not shut the door to investment without necessarily destroying our natural resources,” Herrera said during a media forum last week at the JJs Seafood Restaurant, in this city. Herrera stressed that the green light to the project may be the leeway for the governor to represent the province to the Joint Venture Development Agreement with the OLIDI. He believed in the governor's competence to balance development and environment. Herrera said that prior to actual project implementation there has to be a process to be participated in by all stakeholders to ensure environmental concerns are properly addressed. The project was already presented twice to the SP and referred to the Committee of A Whole, which did the report through Board Member Ester Corazon Galbreath during the December regular session.

LACK OF LAND

In seeking approval of the project, the SP noted the governor's concern that “we do not have adequate land for consolidation”. The governor said the project was seen to “provide Bohol with the opportunity to effectively develop and efficiently utilize our limited land resources in a manner that conforms with our ongoing infrastructure development projects and plans for Panglao island.” The project is likened to the man-made Palm island in Dubai in the Middle East and the governor even cited similar project, the Sanctuary Cove of Australia, which won universal acclaim as an award-winning environmental project.” Once this project is realized, a lot of firms and developers, such as the Megaworld, Ayala, Fil-invest and even the Shimao Group of Companies in China , are interested to invest in Panglao island, he said.

BENEFITS

For his part, Norris Oculam, president of OLIDI, said “we humbly believe the proposed project reclamation into man-made islands of Panglao Bay will enhance the province's vision of being a prime eco-cultural destination by providing readily available land for development by players in the industry”. Oculam said the project will bring in more tourists and “bring enormous benefits” to the tourism industry here in terms of “economic development, business opportunities and employment generation.” He added tourists arrivals in Bohol will increase from the present volume of more than half a million a year adding that this is possible due to the opening of more tourist sites, products and facilities. According to the project proponent, the project was initiated due to the fact that that tourism would-be investors and players could hardly find any suitable land mass for their ventures. Lots in Panglao island, including the town of Dauis , are not possessed or owned in large portions by one person but by so many heirs and therefore acquisition of which is hard to come by. Big investors like the Four Seasons and Shangrila and the Hiltons, who are making successes in other countries and other groups of companies who engaged in tourism business are said to be interested to do business in Panglao. Developers like Ayala Land , Mega World and Filinvest also showed keen interest in investing here. The project is like the “The Palm Islands” in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , which is considered the largest man-made island in the world.

ENVIRONMENT FIRST & FOREMOST

The project would not be pushed through without the concern of mitigating the impact of environmental degradation. “The study should consider relevant provisions of the Bohol Tourism Code an the Eco-tourism and Biodiversity Framework Plan in its preparation,” the proponents said. In drafting the feasibility study, stakeholders' participation are encouraged in the EIA process from the scoping and monitoring to generate social acceptability to “avoid conflict and ensure the fullest consideration of all environmental impacts.” A multi-partite monitoring team composed of different sectors and other parameters of the affected ecological condition are to be established. The study would include the setting up of Environment Guarantee Fee ((EGF) and Environmental Monitoring Fund (EMF), which must be mandatory in accordance with Presidential Decree 1586 for ECC. The said fund is to be used in the event there'll be damages to life, health, property and significant risks that requires rehabilitation or restoration measures. The study should also address the coastal land use conflicts arising from the landfill, restoration of areas damaged eco-systems, relocation of displaced families and provision of buffer zones.

THE PROJECT

Based on the paper submitted, Panglao is one of the most popular coastal tourism destinations in the country, where about 54% of the visitors coming in here consist of mostly those from Europe and Asia . It is home to one of the top ten diving locations in the world. The location is composed of cluster of islands. The first one of about 150 hectares is intended for commercial and recreation areas, convention centers, hotels and other facilities; the second island (150 has.) is for institutional and residential, spas and medical tourism facilities; and the third one (75 has.) would house for small commercial establishments such dive and souvenir shops and apartment for people who work here. The fourth island (70 has.) would be reserved for nature's park or camping grounds or fishing for commercial use. Here, “private sector can be tapped for coral planting and other marine-based initiatives for the conservation and protection of the environment.” The fifth cluster of islets (5 has.) can be acquired privately, the paper said. ( With reports from Ric Obedencio)