DAVAO City Councilor Jimmy Dureza said the proponent of the multi-billion Coastline Development Project, Mega Harbour, is still willing to sit down with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a bid to push the implementation of the project.
Dureza said on Monday, July 31, that he received a letter from Mega Harbour stating their intent to discuss possible ways on how they will be able to continue the projects.
“They have already done many things since the time that the contract was signed, they have started making feasibility studies, and in fact it has been completed,” he said.
Dureza added that they only need to submit the requirements to the Philippine Reclamation Authority; this is the last stage of the project before the actual implementation.
He said that among the requirement is the Environmental Clearance Certificate, which the developers have yet to obtain.
Dureza said there is a possibility that the proponents will seek legal remedies if the project will indeed be terminated.
“There is a provision that the termination will be a matter of a joint decision. I was given information that the project proponent does not know if they are being consulted,” he said.
“I understand that the project proponent is also considering the possible legal remedies that they want to undertake if this project is completely terminated,” Dureza added.
He said the developers already incurred a considerable amount to proceed with the project, these might be the one of the things that the project proponent may consider and what they will do if in case the project won’t really be pushed.
Dureza said the decision of Duterte-Carpio to terminate the multi-billion Davao City Coastline Development Project came as a surprise to him.
“It came as a surprise that we just received information from the media, not an official, that the mayor has terminated the project. We really do not know the real reason why it was terminated but under the provision of the Joint Venture agreement any of the parties may terminate or rescind the contract for breech by anyone in one of the parties, and I really do not know if the reason is the breach of the contract,” he said.
Duterte-Carpio said the decision to terminate the joint venture agreement previously signed by his father now President Rodrigo Duterte last year is coupled with a resolve that Davao City can move forward and answer the call of economic growth by implementing highly sustainable projects, both commercially and environmentally.
Dureza said this matter should have been discussed the proponents, as it may be the reason why they say that the termination of the contract is unfair.
u201dIf the concern of Inday is the environment, there are possible projects that could be undertaken to avoid the destruction of the environment,” he said, adding that there are really certain things that will be sacrificed due to the developments but this can be offset by other benefits for the city.
He said this is the first time that he encountered a termination of a project after agreements has been signed about it.
"This is the first time we have to study this carefully because there a lot of legal conditions that will be considered. There are a lot of considerations, but I think that when the mayor decided this she had also studied carefully the implications of all this. Whatever the decision of the mayor, I think the city council will adopt the decision of the mayor," he said.
Dureza said that the project will generate an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 jobs and it is also envisioned to be a show window of Davao with its commercial spaces, including a lot, which will be considered as a government center where the city hall can be transferred.
He also added that the said project can benefit other areas outside Davao City.
Dureza added that the City Council will also have to pass an ordinance to revoke previously signed ordinance, but this will be carefully studied as it may have legal implications.
He said whether the project will be terminated or not, a lot of government funded projects are already in line for Davao City.
"It is not the end of the world if we cannot push the project there are a lot of proposals lined up by the government for the development of Davao city. Isa dito ang coastal road, its final phase feasibility study will have to be implemented; the Mindanao Railway System, planned bypass road. There are a lot of key projects under Build, Build, Build, program. Since the president is the resident of Davao city he will see to it the project will be implemented," he said.
Meanwhile, Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga congratulated Duterte-Carpio on her strength to announce the scrapping of the project.
"Whatever the merit of her reasons, the fact that she stood on her decision claiming ‘public welfare and public interest’ as her main conern, rightly or wrongly, the bottom line is our mayor bravely expressed her studied opinion to the consternation of Mega Harbour Development Corporation," she said.