RECENTLY, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bared that the City Government of Davao backed out from the P39 billion Davao Coastline and Port Development Project proposed by Mega Harbour Port and Development Incorporated.
“Our decision to terminate the joint venture agreement (JVA) is coupled with a resolve that Davao City can really move forward and answer the call of economic growth by implementing highly sustainable projects, both commercially and environmentally,” Duterte-Carpio said, adding that the developer was informed last July 19, 2017.
She said prior to the decision, the project’s commercial viability, legal and social implications, and possible effects to the environment were considered.
"I assure you, all Dabawenyos, that in coming up with this decision, the paramount consideration has been your welfare and the future of Davao City,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Though the decision may come as a surprise to some and may have drawn some negative reactions, we have to give a tip of the hat to the mayor for putting the city's overall welfare above big development projects.
The Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, which will include land reclamation, will have environmental, economic, and social implications.
In the long run we may see this project as something that would boost the city's economy but at the same time we also have to consider its environmental and social impacts as well.
While the developer says they have conducted socioeconomic and environmental studies, environmental groups, like the Interface Development Interventions (Idis), are saying that they are still apprehensive on the possible environmental and social impacts of the proposed project and are still pushing for the comprehensive environmental and social impacts assessment.
Despite the city backing out from this project, we can still be assured that there are still a good number of major projects from both the public and private sectors that will ensure Davao City will continue to develop.
Among these are the Davao Park District of Megaworld, Azuela Cove of Ayala Land, and the 1st Phase of the Mindanao Railway Project and the modernization of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport of the national government, among others.