Caticlan Port Project GREEN LIGHT ON FOR RECLAMATION

By Noel Cabobos

THE RECLAMATION project in Caticlan port, the jump-off point to the world-renowned Boracay Island, finally got a green light from the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay.      

This developed after the Municipal Council passed Resolution No. 020, Series of 2012 endorsing the 2.6 hectares reclamation project of the Aklan provincial government “to pave the way for the construction of buildings and facilities aimed at boosting the ever increasing tourism demands in the Municipality of Malay” where Boracay belongs.

But in endorsing the project, the Sanggunian had set five conditions to ensure that the project would not affect the island’s ecology and balance as well as the sectors which were earlier fearful of being displaced once the project has taken place.

The conditions set are as follows:

1. Allocation of an office space to LGU-Malay within the building in the reclaimed area.

2. Convening of the Cagban and Caticlan Jetty Port Management Board before the resumption of the

reclamation project;

3. The reclamation project shall only be limited to 2.6 hectares in Barangay Caticlan and not 40 hectares as what the Aklan provincial government intends.

4. The local transportation operators or cooperatives will not be displaced.

5. The Aklan provincial government shall conduct a simultaneous comprehensive study on the environmental impact of the reclamation project especially during Habagat and Amihan seasons and put in place as early as possible mitigating measures on the effect of the project to the environment.

“Considering the sensitivity of the project, this Honorable Body through the Committee where this

matter was referred to conducted several consultations and committee hearings with concerned departments and the private sector, specifically Boracay Foundation, Inc., and they are one in belief that this local government unit has never been against development so long as compliance with the law and proper procedures have been observed and that paramount consideration have been given to the environment lest we disturb the balance of nature to the end that progress will be brought to naught, ” the resolution said.

The project, which will cost over P1-billion, got a beating from various groups here specifically from the Boracay Foundation, Inc. which filed last year a Temporary Environment Protection Order (TEPO) withthe Supreme Court in a bid to stop the project. The Supreme Court granted the petition and announced

that the TEPO will remain in effect until the high court decides to lift it. BFI president Loubelle Cann, owner of Tonglen Beach Resort, said the project poses a serious threat to the island as this will result to sand erosion which might affect the beach of Boracay which is known for its white fine sand.

Citing the studies by the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. (MERF), which both point out that reclamation may erode sand along the island’s shoreline, the BFI had asked the provincial government to forego with the reclamation project in order to preserve the island from degradation.

She said that if the project impacts negatively on the island, the damage later on might be irreversible.

The 10-year project will comprise of reclamation and development projects in Caticlan and in Brgy.  Manoc-manoc in Boracay. The Philippine ReclamationAuthority or PRA already gave the project a go  signal to reclaim and develop 36.82 hectares in Caticlan and 3.18 hectares in Boracay, or a total of 40 hectares.The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, however, only approved the 2.6 hectares in order to come up with a win-win solution and to establish a harmonious intergovernment relationship between the local and provincial government. Councilor Jupiter Aeldred Gallenero, himself a director of BFI, made the final endorsement of the 2.6 hectares.

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, it was learned, was so ecstatic about the passage of the resolution and committed that the province shall work in accordance with the conditions set for the Sanggunian in difference to the fears of the business sectors and other sectors which are apprehensive about the project.

He allayed their fears saying the environmental concerns had already been subjected to studies and scrutiny of the Environment Department saying it would not happen as shown by the environmental compliance certificate that the DENR had granted for the project.

“We do care for Boracay and we will do anything to preserve it. The island is our pride and the major source of our income to better serve the Aklanons. We will never allow the destruction of its environment,”he assured.