T An avalanche of support was generated unexpectedly from the top rated radio program “Cuentas Claras” Tuesday after the main anchor made his uncompromising stand in favor of the reclamation project in Panglao. It was totally unexpected for the early morning program since it was the first time that the ambitious project was made public with the anchor taking a personal stand. In no time, callers from different strata of society took turns in having their position heard. Had a survey been made on callers’ position regarding the reclamation project, the scale was nine out of ten. The voice of the “silent majority” came after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), in a resolution, rejected the project in Panglao.

The massive radio response minced no words about politics rearing its ugly head as to why the SP wrote finis to the project. Counting the number of callers during the radio program, a check showed that about 20 persons called up to register their support of the huge project. “It has nothing to do with environmental concern,” a caller remarked, pointing out that the environmental study demanded by different stakeholders did not push through. Gov. Edgar Chatto had earlier indicated interest in commissioning the study in response to the proposal of University of the Philippine Chancellor Cesar Saloma. For still unknown reasons, the study did not push through which could have resolved the issue on whether the project is destructive or not. After sitting on the issue for more than a year, the SP last passed the resolution in what many believe was due to political consideration.

Among those who voted for the rejection of the project were Board Members Cesar Tomas Lopez, Abeleon Damalerio and Godofreda Tirol. The previous SP had unanimously endorsed the project after a lengthy process. Among those who voted in the resolution during the term of then Gov. Erico Aumentado were board members Lopez, Alfonso Damalerio, Amalia Tirol and Concepcion Lim. The voting pattern this time was in complete contrast to the one approved during Aumentado’s term despite the involvement of familiar personalities. The two Damalerios are brothers while Godofreda is a sister-in-law of Amalia. Lim, who actively supported the reclamation project in the previous term, is now the vice governor. Like Lim, Lopez voted for the resolution in the previous SP.

A radio commentator noted that the change of heart in the board members is “political”. “Definitely it is not due to environmental concern because there is no reason why it was not harmful last year and then harmful this year,” the commentator pointed out. On the contrary, the commentator said there is growing suspicion that the reason why the environmental study was not conducted was because of the possibility that it will prove that the effects to the environment will be very minimal. “So instead of being a tool against the reclamation project, it could in fact support the project,” he added. The commentator also added that the reason definitely has little to do with business because the reclamation project can generate investments aside from reviving the local economy. “This brings us back to the political aspect,” he added. The present SP is dominated by Chatto allies so it was not difficult to overturn the stand of the previous SP. Asked to comment why the latest resolution is political while the previous is not, the commentator said the voting pattern reflects it.

“In the previous SP, the resolution was unanimous – meaning virtually everybody voted for it, whether they are aligned with (Aumentado and Chatto),” he pointed out. In contrast, he said the present SP, “including those who voted for it last year”, are now against it. While they were political allies in past elections, Aumentado and Chatto had a falling out in last year’s election when Aumentado supported former Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera against Chatto while Chatto supported former Mayor Judith Cajes against Aumentado. “Gov. Chatto did not forget that,” the source stressed. He revealed that a daughter of Aumentado who was a mere casual worker was terminated by the Department of Public Works and Highways. “If (Aumentado’s daughter) was not spared, more so the reclamation project,” the commentator added.