Capitol exec admits failure in Malapascua development plan

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Adolfo Quiroga admitted that the Malapascua Island Eco-tourism Development Plan was a “failure”.

Quiroga said the projects under the MIEDP were not fully implemented. Among these projects are the supposed implementation of the solar powered street lamps, construction of a mini-hospital, circumferential road, port, clearing of illegal structures along the 20-meter salvage zone, banning of motorcycles, and others.

Quiroga however did not elaborate on the reasons why these programs were not implemented.

The failure of the provincial government of Cebu to fully implement the development programs for the island has prompted the Municipal Government of Daanbantayan to recover the management of the place.

The municipal council of Daanbantayan passed a resolution which Mayor Maria Luisa Loot has approved seeking to regain control and management of the island.

However, Quiroga and provincial legal officer Marino Martinquilla said that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was right in saying the matter is not for the provincial government alone to decide.

Quiroga and Martinquilla said this shall be taken up by the Technical Working Group.

The TWG composed of various national and local government agencies and other stakeholders developed the MIEDP in 2002.

Martinquilla said that the Province of Cebu being the lead unit in the MIEDP shall, through the governor, call other members of the TWG.

He said that the agreement can possibly be rescinded should there be enough justification from the requesting party.

The municipal government of Daanbantayan has requested the Province of Cebu and other concerned government agencies to reassign the task of being the lead agency in the management, administration, and implementation of the MIEDP to the municipality.

Other agencies requested are the regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Copy of the resolution was also furnished to the Provincial Board which was referred to the Committee on Tourism chaired by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.  (FREEMAN)