“ALL lies and frivolous.”
That’s how a port project proponent described the testimony of San Fernando Mayor Neneth Reluya before the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) last June 11.
In his position paper, Ruben Feliciano, president of First Sangat SF International Port Corp., said that Reluya tried to mislead provincial legislators about his proposed project and to scare away investors.
“It is simply harassment to destroy and malign me, and to scare and discourage my investors, purposely to protect (the mayor’s alleged favored contractor) Melekon Contractors, Inc.,” said Feliciano in the position paper.
Feliciano’s First Sangat SF International Port Corp. is proposing to build a P12.5-billion private commercial port in Barangay Sangat.
Feliciano said the First Sangat has complied with the required documents to proceed with the project.
Despite having the groundbreaking in March, Feliciano alleged that Mayor Reluya “tried to influence and persuade” the Municipal Council to pass a resolution nullifying its previous resolution endorsing the port project.
Citing the council’s resolution, Reluya then issued an executive order “stringently suspending” any construction, development and reclamation projects on the coastline of Barangay Sangat.
During the PB’s session last June 11, Reluya narrated how Feliciano and his firm implemented the port project in Barangay Sangat despite missing some documentary requirements.
She claimed that Feliciano’s firm has started dredging and reclamation works in the area even though he has yet to secure a permit from the Philippine Reclamation Authority.
In the position paper, Feliciano said Reluya “hastily and without any valid legal basis” invoked her police power when she issued the executive order stopping the port project.
Feliciano clarified that they are not applying for a foreshore lease application agreement since their approved application is a “port with reclamation component project.”
“Our reclamation component is part of the civil works of development or infrastructure project of the port,” said Feliciano.
Feliciano said that a group of local fisherfolk in Barangay Sangat endorsed the proposed port project.
He said that their proposed port project will decongest traffic in mainland Cebu City.
“A port developed in the coastline of San Fernando could cater to the districts, thus significantly improving the industrial advantage of the region,” said Feliciano. (GMD)