Fisher folk from Panglao coastal barangays to be affected by the proposed 400-hectare reclamation project gathered Thursday afternoon signifying acceptance of the project. The gathering held at the JJ's Seafoods Village, this city, showed familiar faces that were among those who held a rally in front of the Capitol building shouting their objections to the proposed project. Former Panglao municipal engineer Boy Penales said if he was given the right information and had seen the Power-Point presentation made that afternoon, he would have understood the eco-friendly concept of the project. Agustin Cloribel, former Panglao tourism officer, also shared the same opinion together with radio commentator Angel Guimalan who joined the group in the public forum. Penales, Cloribel and Guimalan were among those rallysts who earlier demanded a stop to the reclamation project. In the multi-media presentation conducted by Oasis Leisure Island Development Corp. counsel lawyer Carlos Castillo, the proponent Oasis assured to undertake three levels of environmental study; - a study on natural environments (i.e. land, air, water).

JOINT PROJECT

OLID Corp President Norris Oculam informed the consultation participants that the reclamation project is not totally a private initiative. It is a joint-venture with the Provincial Government of Bohol supported by a Memorandum of Agreement signed by then governor, now second district Congressman Erico B. Aumentado December last year. On environmental concerns, Oculam said there will be three levels of environmental studies; the first two not a regulatory requirement, but an initiative of Oasis to obtain sufficient data for better master planning and decision making. These environmental studies include Marine Biodiversity Study , which is a site-specific study of the target location to assess the biodiversity population of marine life in the area. The result will be used as basis for Oasis decision whether or not to proceed with the project. Hydraulic studies will follow (i.e., hydrodynamics, wave pattern and seawater flow, geology, etc., then Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study, which is required by law under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (P.D. 1586) leading to the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by DENR.

WORLD-CLASS

Development planners will be the WATG Group of Hawaii, the world's leading design consultant for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries. It has worked in 160 countries and territories across six continents. Oasis said the potential positive effects and benefits of the project include g eneration of income opportunities, employment, business opportunities, LGU revenues on businesses. In addition to small-scale fishing, it can encourage people to establish small food services, boating services, habal-habal motor services, and opportunities for local tourist guides and others. All of those who attended the Thursday consultation signed in the manifesto urging for the immediate start of the study to determine the environmental viability of the reclamation project. If the study result will not be favorable to the project, they will stop there and won't continue on this reclamation plan despite financial resources spent, Oasis assured. (PR)