PRA asked to explain Mactan recla project

CEBU, Philippines - THE National Economic Development Authority Board-Regional Development Committee (NEDA Board-RDCom) wants the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to shed light on the proposed 400-hectare Mactan North Reclamation Development Project (MNRDP) in Lapu-Lapu City.

The RDC-Central Visayas has asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to reconsider the approval of the reclamation project as they asked her to defer the project’s implementation.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who sits as the chairperson of RDC Central Visayas clarified that they do not oppose the project for as long as it goes through legal process, including the approval of the RDC 7. Garcia also heads the Visayas-RDCom, which is composed of the RDC 6, 7 and 8.

The Lapu-Lapu City officials insisted that the reclamation project will proceed even without RDC endorsement.

In yesterday’s 8th Neda Board RDCom meeting held at the Capitol old session hall, the board wants the PRA to attend in the next scheduled meeting this year to comment on the P10 billion Lapu-Lapu reclamation project.

Garcia, who represents Visayas on the NEDA Board-RDCom, a Cabinet-level body, pointed out that RDC Central Visayas has asked the proponents of the project to submit their plan but until now they never heed the request.

According to Garcia, they are pursuing the project even without consultations as they want to know how it affects the Mactan channel, the two Mactan bridges and airports when the project will be started.

NEDA assistant director general Marcelina Bacani, who presided over the board meeting, supports the observation of Garcia as the Neda Board can take up those projects that are not yet implemented.

“We are not supposed to take up on-going projects but since hindi pa ito on-going pwede pa natin i-tackle,” Bacani said.

The Neda Board-RDCom is chaired by the secretary of Neda. Its members include Cabinet members: the secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Interior and Local Government. It has also four regional experts from the private sector and one member each from the major island groups of the RDCs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

In the same board meeting, the NEDA board approved a resolution, which is sponsored by Garcia, seeking to amend Administrative Order 2007-2 of Arroyo to include in the approval process and procedures the RDC endorsement of proposed reclamation projects costing worth P200 million.

Last July, the RDCom supported the move saying drawing up of procedures is necessary for reclamation projects because it has the impact to the development of other government units within the same region.

The major reclamation projects that cost more than P200 million require an endorsement from the RDC, Garcia said, citing certain provisions in the Local Government Code that empowers a province to undertake its own reclamation project without seeking approval from the PRA provided that the funds are sourced out from provincial allocation.—Garry B. Lao/WAB    (THE FREEMAN)