Bill to reclassify three towns in Bantayan gaining ground

CEBU - The committee on rules of the House of Representatives has approved the draft bill that seeks to reclassify three municipalities in Bantayan Island from their protected areas status to being alienable and disposable lands.

Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon said he expects to present the bill before the plenary before Congress will go on Christmas break on December 18. The Committee on Rules approved the draft bill last November 11.

Salimbangon said more investments can be expected for Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos towns once the bill passes into law.

“If approved, this will bolster investor confidence to invest on the island because they can already buy properties here,” Salimbangon said during a visit to Madridejos yesterday for the town’s “Isda Festival.”

At present, no investor can own properties in the three towns because of their classification as protected areas. Investors may own the tax declaration of certain properties but not the land title.

“We have to give a little sacrifice to of our environment to also give way to development,” Salimbangon said.

Salimbangon said the move the re-classify the three towns is in support of the efforts of the Department of Tourism to come up with a tourism master plan for Cebu’s fourth congressional district.

Salimbangon said he envisions Sta. Fe to focus on promoting their beach resorts Madridejos and Bantayan will focus on the delivery of support services with their fishing, poultry and dried fish industries.

DOT Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano reportedly plans to relocate the Sta. Fe port to barangay Baigad in Bantayan town so that the coastal areas of Sta. Fe will be utilized for eco-tourism. Baigad is located at least two kilometers from Sta. Fe.

However, DOT is yet to identify a source of funds for the port transfer, which would reportedly cost at least P50 million.

“We have to relocate the port because it is located in the middle of the development in Sta Fe, but I have to talk to the governor also. Sayang kaayo ang puti nga bas unya na tabunan lang sa pantalan,” Salimbangon said.

Salimbangon said barangay Baigad can actually accommodate a port better because it has deep waters and has enough area for port expansion.

The proposed site for the port is owned by the barangay.

Salimbangon is confident that environmentalists will not oppose the development plans for the island. He reportedly already spoke to environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa about it.

However, Salimbangon said development would still be regulated to ensure that environmental concerns will be addressed. Fish sanctuaries will also be retained.

Durano reportedly prefers that buildings to be constructed in the island would be limited to only two stories high and shall maintain a 20-meter easement from the coast.

It is the policy of the provincial government that structures can only be built 20 meters away from the coastline

Once Salimbangon’s bill becomes a law, an eco-tourism task force will be created, which will consist of a representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and officials of the three municipalities.

The task force will replace the Protected Areas Management Board that ove rsees the use of the island as a protected area at present. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)