Cordova project enjoys P80-M outlay

THE Province of Cebu has an P80-million budget this year for the Cordova reclamation project.

But the amount hasn’t been spent yet because another P83-million budget for it last year hasn’t been used up, said Budget Officer Eme Gingoyon.

He told Cebu Daily News  part of the outlay was already used to reclaim foreshore land for an EGwen Avenue in the boundaries of barangay Gabi and Poblacion.

The 10-hectare reclamation for a port and its amenities is part of a larger 132-hectare reclamation plan that includes a 120-hectare “mini-Boracay” or artificial beach based on plans shown by Cordova town officials, but details have not been fully shown.

Provincial Planning Officer Engineer Adolfo Quiroga said  the development plans and  concept came from Cordova town, but the ongoing reclamation work for 10 hectares  is being done by the Cebu provincial government.

Quiroga said a program of works and public bidding made  last year is proof that the province is the one in charge of the reclamation.

The project is being opposed  by ecology advocates for causing permanent damage to the marine ecosystem and displacing  fisherfolk without full consultation with stakeholders.

The Philippine Earth Justice Center led by lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos also questioned the legal basis for the project after the  Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) certified in December last year that Cordova town’s application  did not get approved because it lacked several requirements.

Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla wrote to the PRA last week to insist that the Province does not need the approval of PRA because the Capitol can undertake reclamation work under  Sec. 17 of the Local Government Code .

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy adopted the same position, saying this was  an infrastructure project of the Cebu provincial government, not the town.

Ramos has called for a “moratorium” on reclamation projects citing  irreparable marine damagewhich she said also  contributes to pollution, flooding and reduced resilience of Cebu to climate change. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus