By Bernadette A. Parco and Rizel S. Adlawan
Thursday, February 16, 2012
CAPITOL has nothing to do with the Cordova reclamation project, said Provincial Attorney Marino Martinquilla yesterday.
He said, though, that if the Provincial Government decides to go into infrastructure development projects, including reclamation, it does not need authorization from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
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Martinquilla was reacting to the statement of environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos that the Capitol has not yet complied with PRA requirements in relation to the Cordova reclamation.
Martinquilla said that if Capitol decides to undertake a reclamation project, it only needs to comply with requirements set by the Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority (CPRA).
The CPRA, created by the Provincial Board (PB), requires Capitol to present a PB resolution authorizing it to undertake a reclamation project.
The CPRA also required that the Provincial Government develop a primer stating the purpose and significance of the project and to secure a certified true copy of the reclamation’s environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
Ramos, co-founder of the Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. (PEJC), wrote the Capitol to ask for copies of documents pertaining to the 20-hectare Cordova reclamation project.
Damage
In her letter to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Ramos said the reclamation project can cause environmental degradation, damage ecosystems, and result in more landslides and floods.
Besides, she said, with sea level rising because of climate change, the reclamation project would “eventually be reclaimed by the sea…thus, the project could not be considered a meaningful and rooted development.”
Documents that Ramos wanted to see include the environment impact study and the ECC for the project.
She also wants a copy of the comprehensive land use plan and coastal resource management plan of Cebu Province, annual investment plan and the PB resolution endorsing the reclamation project.
Martinquilla said Capitol received an ECC for the P80-million roro (roll on, roll off) terminal project in Cordova.
Not proof
Ramos said the ECC is “not proof” that the project will not harm the environment.
“Prudence dictates that the ongoing reclamation work should be stopped,” she said.
The port, located in Sitio Camonilas in Barangay Poblacion, has a reclamation component.
Garcia earlier said there is a need to reclaim an area adjacent to the port for support services like a passenger terminal and a commercial building.
The port's operation started last month.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said the port alone cannot accommodate a terminal and port offices.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 16, 2012.
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