Do we really need a bridge to connect Bohol to Cebu?

ON MAY 24, 2023, in its 216th executive board session held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, UNESCO designated Bohol Island as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Philippines.

Naturally, every Boholano is ecstatic, proud, and grateful for the honor. Then came the appalling now-shelved 153-hectare land reclamation project in Tagbilaran City, and other projects and ventures in the municipalities that attracted so much attention and ire, because our eyes are finally opened or awakened, whichever suits you best, to the gradual but undeniable destruction of our environment.

As events unfolded, the usual “passing the buck;” tug-of-war between and among a national government agency, the host local government units, and protected area management boards; the cry for environmental advocates to get involved; “official statement” governance; the circus on social media; among others, also transpired. When the dust of the chaos had finally settled, we’re all back to the usual grind, albeit hopefully, with sharpened environmental lens.

Now, let’s go to the gigantic bridge that will connect Bohol and Cebu.

I have questions and I need answers.

First, why do we need the bridge? Aren’t we connected to Cebu right now? Or did I miss something? Aren’t we served by our inter-island vessels; our fast ferry/fast craft services? Are they insufficient? Are they unsafe? Are they not modernized to meet our transport needs? If we are served efficiently by this transport mode, then why a bridge?

Second, aren’t we proud that Bohol is declared the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark? We are uniquely blessed and situated. So, why do we need to “connect” our one-of-a-kind geopark to another city via a humungous bridge? It seems ironic that we’re beaming with pride because of our achievement, in fact, celebrating it, and yet we want to annex it to another island.

Third, our safety and security. Do you remember how we remarkably quelled the criminal intents of the Abu Sayyaf Group in April 2017, when they landed three pump boats along the riverside of Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo in Inabanga town, because the townsfolk easily spotted them?

That wouldn’t be the scenario when we are linked via a massive bridge that will enable everyone, even those with criminal motives, to easily enter our geopark of a province. I lived in Mindanao for 30 years where all provinces are connected via road networks. The incidents of criminality and lawlessness are higher because the entry and exit points of landlocked areas are plenty.

Fourth, destruction of marine ecosystems. And yet again, the environment.

Caecent No-ot Magsumbol of The Freeman wrote in March 2024 that environmental issues dominate the Cebu-Bohol bridge discussion because “it involves the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef (DBDBR), a key bio-diversity area in the Philippines.” In fact, the “environmental concern was raised before the Regional Development Council (RDC) prior their approval of support in declaring the DBDBR as a protected landscape and seascape area …”

RDC-Economic Development Council chair Melanie Ng said, the “area is a priority for conversion of reef, fishes, corals, mangroves, seagrass beds, and mollusks as a large population of people are highly reliant on fishery resources in the area.”

Moreover, “The DBDBR is composed of 13 LGUs, 11 in Bohol, one in Cebu, and one in Leyte.” In Bohol, “it encompasses Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, Ubay, and President Carlos P. Garcia. In Cebu, it includes Lapu-Lapu, and in Leyte, Bato,” explained the DENR conservation division.

Bohol hosts an enormous portion of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, and fishing provides livelihood to our fellow Boholanos in these areas. I can’t imagine why we want to destroy it.

And to complete the argument, the “Philippines has recently ranked 214th out of 220 countries in the Ocean Health Index.” That’s pathetic for a ranking! According to Cristina Eloisa Baclig of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “In the 2023 Ocean Health Index, the Philippines scored 58 out of 100, significantly below the global average of 73 and marking a substantial decline from previous scores of 67 in 2021 and 65 in 2020, signaling deteriorating marine ecosystem health.” Although “this horrific deterioration of marine ecosystems is particularly evident in the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago,” I daresay the irreversible destruction of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef will further hurt our already suffering marine ecosystem. When will we ever learn huh!

If you ask me, Bohol doesn’t need the bridge.

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Woman Talk with Belinda Sales will resume broadcast tomorrow, May 4, 2024 in Tagbilaran City. You can watch it live via the FB Page: Woman Talk with Belinda Sales. She can also be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN

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