Capitol mulls options to finish Cordova reclamation project

DESPITE facing several stumbling blocks, including questions about its legality, the Cebu provincial government wants to continue the stalled Cordova reclamation project.

Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) head, engineer Adolfo Quiroga told reporters he is consulting the Provincial Legal Office on the best option allowed by law.

He said they are considering bidding out the project or negotiating with a new contractor, Quiroga said.

Last March, work on the project was stopped after the Capitol and the contractor E. Caneda Construction agreed to terminate the contract.

The Capitol wants the contractor to finish reclaiming 10 hectares for a port project in 120 days, while the contractor said it can’t comply because of difficulties bringing in filling materials by land.

Quiroga said ending the contract was a “mutual” decision.

The private firm finished 21 percent of the project before it stopped when a truck ban in Mandaue City made it difficult for them to haul filling materials.

The reclamation project is the subject of a graft complaint filed with the Visayas Ombudsman by ecology activists and some Cordova fisher folk.

The reclamation project is a joint project of the Capitol and the Cordova municipal government.

The overall plan is to develop 132 hectares for tourism and commercial development, including a 120-hectare “mini-Boracay’ artificial beach.

Last February 7, the Philippine Reclamation Authority asked the Capitol to “refrain” from undertaking further work because the project has no permit from the PRA.