OFFICIALS of the Philippine Reclamation Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with officials of the Minglanilla Municipal Government for the development of a 100-hectare reclamation project in the town.
With the signing of the MOU yesterday, PRA officials will now start assessing the submitted requirements provided by the Ming-Mori Development Corp. for the reclamation project in Minglanilla to start.
This, despite increasing opposition from residents of three coastal barangays who will be directly affected by the project.
Lawyer Janilo Rubiato, PRA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, told reporters that with the signing of the MOU, the proponents of the project must start submitting the requirements needed for a reclamation permit, such as the detailed feasibility study, the environmental impact assessment study (EIAS), engineering geological and geohazard assessment and the environmental compliance certificate (ECC), which will be issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
But he assured that the signing of the MOU yesterday will not signify the start of reclamation works on the town.
“Upon receipt of these requirements, there will be a period that we will evaluate them. Ang MOU dili na siya na go-signal para magsugod na sila ug tambak (The signed MOU does not give them the go-signal to start reclaiming),” said Rubiato, who hails from Davao City.
Rubiato added that while President Rodrigo Duterte has tasked them to fast track the application for reclamation permits within six months, he believes that Ming-Mori’s application could take less than that since they already have majority of the requirements, except the ECC.
Jose Soberano III, MMDC chairman and president, said that the DENR 7 is set to meet with them this month to review their EIAS as basis for the approval of their ECC.
Soberano said that since they finished their public hearing last July, they have undergone two review hearings with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
He disclosed that the EMB has ordered them to correct some minor issues such as changing their designs and models for the reclamation project that will protect the area from storm surges.
If all goes well, Soberano said they can start construction by next year.
But affected residents living in Barangays Tulay, Calajoan and Tungkil plan to seek the help of environmental groups to ensure that the project will be stopped.
During the Marine Protection and Sustainable Livelihood Summit last month, Brother Simon Peter Jardinico of the Franciscan Friars of Charity and representative of the three barangays said they plan to pursue legal means to ensure that the project will not affect the livelihood of the residents.
Jardinico said he has conducted initial consultation with Oceana Philippines to assist them in their problem.
Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos urged residents to file a petition before DENR Sec. Regina Paz Lopez to question the project after she received reports that the affected residents were not thoroughly consulted.
In response to the residents’ concern, Rubiato urged them to file legal remedies before the DENR by questioning the issuance of an ECC.
Rubiato admitted that it is not within PRA’s jurisdiction to question the requirements provided by the proponent.
But he said the affected residents can challenge the issuance of the ECC before a proper forum.
If development will proceed, the Ming-Mori Reclamation and Industrial Park is envisioned to be a light industrial and commercial estate that could help generate 75,000 jobs in Minglanilla and its neighboring towns.