By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BACOLOD CITY finds itself amidst a reclamation controversy involving two significant projects. One is the proposed expansion at the current reclamation area by Bredco (Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation) and the other is the ongoing coastal development in Barangay Pahanocoy.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) committee on laws, ordinances, and good government, moved to probe Bredco’s application for its 25-hectare expansion. He’s backed by councilors Thaddy Sayson and Vladimir Gonzalez. The trio wants a public hearing.
Espino mentioned that Bredco secured a Miscellaneous Sales Application (MSA) and Miscellaneous Lease Application (MLA) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources without the approval of the SP for its proposed expansion.
Meanwhile, during a press conference at the Negros Press Club (NPC) on Monday, Oct. 9, officials of the newly-formed Pahanocoy Anti-Reclamation Movement (PARM) condemned the ongoing coastal development in Pahanocoy. According to PARM, this project is reclaiming over 700 hectares of Pahanocoy’s coastline, leading to rising concerns among the locals. Many residents of Pahanocoy believe that this reclamation project primarily caused the consecutive severe flooding in their barangay on July 25 and on Aug. 28 and 29 this year.
No Resolution of No Objection Yet
Both controversial reclamation projects, at Bredco and Pahanocoy, do not have a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) yet. The SP confirmed that they haven’t provided any RONO for Pahanocoy’s coastal project nor for Bredco’s proposed port expansion, which aims to accommodate larger international vessels.
Espino and his colleagues are also keen to understand more about the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (TMOA) between the City of Bacolod, Philippine Reclamation Area (PRA), and Bredco. However, they’ve expressed concerns over the toll fee within the Bredco port. Espino further added that 30% of the total reclaimed area within the Bredco reclamation is rightfully owned by the city. He then posed the question: why is the public paying so much in toll/road fees to pass through the Bredco port?
Bredco’s reclamation project operates under a 50-year Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Project (CRRP) agreement, which began on March 16, 1995. Thus, the city receives P6-M annually from Bredco taxes and will also obtain a one-time P8-M backward adjustment, with a subsequent 25% increase every five years.
Environmental Concerns
PARM asserts that Pahanocoy’s coastal development has already infringed upon and is damaging the village’s mangrove ecosystem. The group also believes that this project is negatively impacting the livelihoods of many Pahanocoy residents.
While reclamation projects can offer economic benefits, they also bring about substantial environmental debates. Environmental advocates are prepared to list the potential environmental risks that such projects might introduce.
A recent instance highlighting such concerns was the initiative of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list’s Rep. Erwin Tulfo. He sponsored House Resolution (HR) No. 1171 in August, directing the House committees on National Defense and Security, and Ecology, to scrutinize both ongoing and planned reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Tulfo received information suggesting that these projects in Manila Bay might pose national security risks due to their proximity to the United States (US) Embassy Office. However, he emphasized that he isn’t against development in Manila Bay, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize the livelihoods of the people, disrupt businesses, harm the environment, or breach certain local governance codes.
Consequently, public consultation is paramount. It ensures that the community is well-informed about any reclamation projects, helping to prevent further controversies./PN
