BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has expressed support for a proposed 150-hectare reclamation project Barangay Banago, despite opposition from the Barangay Council and residents.
"We have a wide sea, and anybody who wants to reclaim can reclaim," Benitez said.
He said in Cebu City, thousands of hectares were being reclaimed.
He added that the reclamation project is an investment.
The proposed reclamation project has been a controversial issue in the Barangay, with residents and local officials raising concerns over the potential impact on the community.
Barangay Chief Ricky Mijares earlier said that thousands of residents in Barangay Banago would be affected if the project went ahead.
Mijares earlier said they did not receive a letter from the company of Jerry Sy on the proposed 150-hectare reclamation project along Puroks Makawiwili and Nami-Nami of Barangay Banago.
Aside from Puroks Makawiwili and Nami-Nami of Barangay Banago, he added that the proposed project will also affect some residents of Barangays 1 and 2.
Mijares, along with other barangay officials and hundreds of residents of the village, attended the public hearing at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Session Hall on Monday, February 27, after Sy, Margrey Sy, and Ian Dominique Sy requested the SP to issue a Resolution of No Objection (Rono) for the proposed reclamation plan in Barangay Banago.
"Our residents and the barangay council are opposing this project because most of us will lose our livelihood," Mijares said.
However, Benitez said it's the opposite because if there is reclamation in the area, there will be more property for housing and for other uses.
"It will not affect them because it will be beneficial for them," he said.