EWith more Boholanos considering themselves poor, an investor says its project is offering options for a better life when it becomes operational. According to a survey conducted by the Holy Name University , six out of 10 Boholanos or 62% of those surveyed considered themselves poor. Oasis Leisure Island Development Inc. (OLIDI) said offering options for the poor is precisely one of the reasons why it is interested to invest in Bohol.  “Since the start, we have made it clear that we are concerned about the plight of the people who want a better life for themselves,” Oasis said in a statement. OLIDI is proposing to build a tourism-oriented project off the shores of Panglao which also aims to alleviate the poor fishermen and their families in at least three barangays. “We have been honest with them since the start and we answered their questions as much as we can because we believe that they have as much stake in this project than anybody else,” the statement added.

Oasis said that this is precisely the reason why majority of the residents in the target area have changed their position from resistance to support. “Most of the people we talked to understand what we intend to do and where they fit which explains the change in their position toward the project,” it added. Oasis noted that in recent months, there has been a marked departure from the rigid resistance to one of approval among many of the stakeholders.  According to the statement, the only ones who remain opposed to the project are those who either refuse to listen to what Oasis is saying or those who feel threatened business-wise. Oasis said that the longer that it has been talking to the people, the more it feels the urgency to address their needs particularly in providing livelihood opportunities. “These are people who want a better life and who will be among the first who will benefit from the project when it becomes operational,” the statement added.

 Oasis said it hopes that the provincial government will fast-track the conduct of the environmental study so that the issue on its viability will finally be addressed. Opponents of the project have repeatedly claimed that it will be destructive to the environment but there is no environmental study to prove that claim. “Criticisms raised by people whose opposition is purely based on biased opinions should not prevail over an objective environmental study conducted by reputable entities,” Oasis added. There were reports that a state university has offered its services for the environmental study but there has been no word about it from government officials. “We are disappointed by the delay but we are more concerned with the people who are most affected by it,” the statement added. Oasis said the delay is not helping poor Boholanos who feel their opportunities slip through their hands with the passing of the years. “It is better to proceed with the environmental study and then announced the results to the people whatever it is than to leave them hanging due to the inaction,” the statement added. While opponents of the project are doing everything they can to block it, Oasis said they have also failed to offer alternatives to people who have been left behind by the supposed boom in Panglao.