DID the proponents of a proposed reclamation project in Minglanilla properly consult the residents?
Not exactly, according to recent study conducted by student researchers of the Department of Journalism and Communications (DJC) of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).
Based on a study by student-researchers Princielo Vuelban and Apple Grace Danuco, Ming-Mori Development Corp. (MMDC), the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 and the Minglanilla Municipal Government failed to properly consult the residents of coastal villages that could be affected by the proposed 100-hectare reclamation project.
Concerns
After learning the results of the study, environmentalists plan to use it as proof that proponents of the project and concerned government officials failed to account for the affected residents’ concerns.
The study was presented during the Marine Protection and Sustainable Livelihood Summit in Cebu City last Friday.
Vuelban and Danuco disclosed that MMDC failed to effectively reach the affected residents about the public hearing, which was scheduled last July 28.
“Many affected residents were not informed about the proceedings as majority of the respondents were unable to read the public notice and attend the public hearing conducted,” the student-researchers said.
Notice
According to the study, around 57 percent of the respondents from the affected barangays were not able to read the public notice, thus resulting in a poor number of attendees.
Around 90 respondents were interviewed for the study, with 30 respondents from each of the three barangays,Tulay, Calajoan and Tungkil.
The researchers concluded that MMDC, EMB 7 and local officials failed to make the affected residents understand the issue.
Account
Based on the study, majority of the 90 respondents have poor awareness of the reclamation project’s effects on the environment and their livelihood.
Vuelban and Danuco said there were disparities on the time allocated for the affected residents in the open forum during the hearing.
“As noticed, bigger portion of time was allocated to the affirmative side. Some citizens who raised their concerns were only given two minutes and were stopped after the due time, without having their concerns fully addressed,” they added.
Also, the researchers found out that the EMB 7, the initiating party of the public hearing, failed to take into account the recommendations of those who participated.
Based on Administrative Order 2003-30 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a public hearing serves as an avenue for the project proponent in disclosing relevant information needed for an assessment of the environmental impacts of their project to the affected residents.
After reading the study, lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos of Oceana Philippines said it reveals a lot of how private firms and the DENR are denying the public’s right to participate in issues which concern them.
She said that the study could be used as basis for the filing of cases against the proponent and DENR for their failure to consider the sentiments of the affected residents on the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the project.
In an interview, DENR 7 spokesperson Dr. Eddie Llamedo said that even if an ECC will be issued to the proponent of the proposed reclamation project, they still need to comply with other requirements, including an area clearance which will be signed by Environment Secretary Regina Paz Lopez.
Llamedo believes that with Lopez’s stance against reclamation projects, the proposed reclamation project could face tough opposition.
Correct
“If there is even a bit of doubt on the project, such as the failure of the proponent to thoroughly, genuinely and comprehensively consult the concerned stakeholders, Secretary Lopez will definitely question it,” Llamedo told Sun.Star Cebu.
He also urged concerned citizens of the three coastal barangays affected by the project to file a petition before their barangays over their concerns that they were not thoroughly consulted by the proponents.
Opportunities
In an earlier interview, Jose Soberano III, MMDC chairman said they expected that there will be residents who will oppose the project.
But he had assured that aside from providing investment opportunities to the town, the project could also provide employement to the residents. He said that the project will serve as an industrial estate and will cater to both local and foreign investors.