PB wants to verify Balili property status as ecozone

The Provincial Board will formally ask the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to clarify the status of the Balili property in barangay Tina-an, Naga City Cebu in relation to its proposed re-classification as a special economic zone.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Services (DENR) said any economic development in the property should meet the conditions of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC),”  PB Member Arleigh Sitoy said.

He said this doesn’t include the legal issues facing the property that needs to be justified.

“Just because there’s a declaration of the Balili property as an economic zone it doesn’t mean that projects will be immediately implemented,” Sitoy said.

Sitoy said it is up to Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale to decide on what to do about it and not suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who pushed for the construction of an international port in the property.

A coal ash disposal site is also planned for the property that was being opposed by ecology groups.

Garcia earlier said a cement company is interested in buying the coal ash discharged by the Korean Electric Power Co. (Kepco) coal plant.

“(There are so many plans but the property is mired in controversy,” Sitoy said.

Garcia and seven others face graft charges in relation to the Capitol purchase of the Balili property.

About P98.9 million was spent to buy the property in 2008 that was later found to be mostly underwater and classified as public domain by a DENR survey. The case is being investigated by the Ombudsman.

Sitoy said the PB is waiting for the resolution of all legal issues of the Balili property.

Magpale’s lawyer, Magnifico Cañete said there’s an existing petition for the revision of titles since the Balili property is mostly underwater. /Correspondent Renan R. Alangilan