The unprecedented move of Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala to rid the Tawala beachfront of all sorts of eyesores may have earned him enemies among resort owners who were at the receiving end of his holy week clean-up. Alcala, however, drew praises from at least one entity - Oasis Leisure Island Development Inc. (OLIDI), the project proponent of the Panglao reclamation project. “It is a clear message that Mayor Alcala does not tolerate excess of any form,” Oasis said in a statement. According to the project proponent, any other mayor made of lesser stuff would have blinked in the face of the “blatant display of bravado and defiance” from erring resort owners who cluttered the beachfront with tables and chairs at the height of the holy week observance.

Unfortunately for them, the mayor rose to the occasion and braved all sorts off protestations and even threats of legal action to restore order at the beachfront. Oasis said that for this decisive action alone, Alcala delivers the message that the days of violators of environmental laws in Panglao are numbered.  “We applaud Mayor Alcala for reminding those who think that the law can be subverted for their interest that he will implement it no matter who gets hurt,” Oasis added. The project proponent, which has been given the raw deal from certain sectors opposed to the project, said this is the assurance that investors are looking for.  “Although there are certain sectors who are opposed to the project, Oasis is optimistic that it will prevail in the end because it has been steadfast in complying with all the requirements provided for by law,” the statement added.

According to Oasis, the delay in the conduct of the environmental study has turned out to be a blessing in disguise because more stakeholders have embraced the proposal during the timeline. “The tide in public opinion has been turning and only those who either have a fixed mindset or threatened by the project have continued to oppose it,” Oasis added. The statement said that Alcala's unequivocal statement made in the clearing of the Alona beachfront should be a warning to those who think that the mayor will blink in the face of environmental violations for fear of political repercussions. “Our impressions from people on the ground shows that the mayor has gained more respect and adherents because of what he did,” the statement added. Oasis had always pointed out that among the vocal oppositors to the reclamation project are environmental violators in their own right.

For one reason or another, environmental groups have turned a blind eye on these violations including the one Alcala dealt with during the holy week. “Mayor Alcala did not wait for the uproar from supposed concerned environmentalists to act on a routine violation that has been going on for some time,” Oasis added. Oasis has always questioned the vehement opposition to a plan while nothing has been heard about violations that have been rampant for a long time. The project proponent has been waiting for the conduct of an environmental study that has been the clamor of concerned stakeholders to determine once and for all the viability of the project. The provincial government has received offers from a state university for the conduct of the environmental study.