Capitol sets P5M for Malapascua

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu provincial government has set aside P5 million for infrastructure projects stipulated in the Malapascua Island Eco-Tourism Development Plan.

The PB passed Monday a resolution allocating the amount for the construction of a new disaster preparedness multi-purpose building in Malapascua Island in the municipality of Daanbantayan.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who sponsored the resolution originally proposed to download the funds to the municipality.

The PB, however, carried the proposal of Board Member Sun Shimura who co-sponsored the resolution that Capitol, through the Provincial Engineering Office, and not the municipal government, implement the project.

Shimura cited the existing 2006 Memorandum of Agreement, which authorized Capitol to take over the management, administration, and implementation of the MIEDP because the local government unit lacked the manpower, resources and capabilities.

The multi-purpose building will house the island's police outpost, health center, and tourist assistance office, among others.

The P5 million, which will be charged against Capitol's Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund, also covers the opening of the five-kilometer circumferential road.

Officials of Malapascua Island, technically named Barangay Logon, earlier asked Davide to implement the MIEDP that has been stalled for several years.

Led by Barangay Captain Rex Novabos, the officials asked Davide to implement, at least, the components of the MIEDP, which include the construction of the barangay port or wharf, circumferential road, police headquarters and police outpost in the island.

The officials said implementation is "necessary for the development of Malapascua Island into a world class tourist destination."

The MIEDP was crafted in 2002 during the term of former governor Pablo Garcia.

In 2012, then mayor Ma. Luisa Loot approved a resolution passed by the town council that requested Capitol 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 town.

In August 2003, Daanbantayan and the Capitol, together with some government agencies including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism, entered into a MOA.

Daanbantayan was the lead agency in the management, administration and implementation of MIEDP, but this changed in 2006 when the town asked Capitol to take over its role because it lacked the manpower, resources and capabilities.

Former governor, now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia earlier said the request of the LGU cannot just immediately be acted upon because of the existing MOA.  —/JMO) (FREEMAN)