Pushing for the final closure on the controversial Panglao island reclamation plans, a group of environmental protection advocates is asking the provincial government for its final word on the issue. In a letter sent to Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, the Panglao Nature Advocates, Inc. is proposing for a joint-action together with the provincial government to seek from the Supreme Court a Writ of Kalikasan that will stop forever any form of reclamation plans in the shore of this tourism island internationally known for its pristine white beaches and exotic dive sites. PANA President for Board of Trustees David Bailey, in stressing the issue said the reclamation idea could be raised by any administration succeeding the present Capitol leadership.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through its committees on environmental protection and tourism had come out with its findings and recommendation that the reclamation project, earlier proposed by virtue of a Joint Venture Agreement signed by former governor Erico Aumentado and Norris Oculam of the private developer Oasis Island Leisure Development Inc. is “null and void”. The findings also led to the adoption of three resolutions declaring the policy of the provincial government against any form of reclamation in Panglao island. “The recommendations, however, though already submitted to the governor’s office still remain unacted officially, and in fact, the three resolutions were not sent to the office of the Philippine Reclamation Authority,” Bailey said. “The pronouncement of Governor Chatto that the recommendations are now being reviewed by the provincial legal team is welcomed but not good enough,” he added.

In a letter dated December 13, 2011, the PRA through its General Manager and CEO Peter Anthony Abaya informed PANA that it had not received the three SP resolutions. PRA however, said the office had now dropped from the list of projects for processing the reclamation applications in Panglao Island earlier submitted by the provincial government and another application by the Municipality of Panglao. “The slow action of the provincial government maybe overtaken by events as the proponents are reportedly taking other legal remedies to push for the resumption of the project,” Bailey said in emphasizing his concern.