Consolacion reclamation project: Consortium’s financial capability questioned

CEBU, Philippines — A former commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor has raised doubts on the capability of a consortium to reclaim 235.8 hectares of foreshore in Consolacion town, northern Cebu in partnership with the municipal government.

Edward Ligas said that based on the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) records, La Consolacion Seafront Development Corp. (LCSDC) was registered only last October 13, 2019 with a capital investment of P10 million.

Ligas, who has been helping the about 2,000 workers of the six shipyards affected by the project, said they tried to ask for documents pertaining to the reclamation project as well as the LCSDC.

However, he said the municipal government refused to release one.

Ligas, in a statement, said the shipyard owners also asked for documents from Consolacion Mayor Joannes Pepito Alegado, including a copy of the proposed joint venture agreement of the municipality with LCSD, the notice of award of contract, and an ordinance supporting the project. However, their request was also turned down.

Alegado when sought for comments said that he will reply on this allegation as well as Vice Mayor Teresa Alegado, who was the former mayor when this infrastructure project was proposed.

Ligas also reminded the officials that projects involving public property and undertaken by public officials were not subject to any secrecy laws.

Ligas cited Section 5 of Republic Act 6713, an act establishing a code of conduct and ethical standards for, officials and employees which states that the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to make documents accessible to the public.

Ligas said the Article III, Section 7 of the Constitution also upheld the public’s right to know.

Earlier, Ligas also led the series of rallies together with the shipyard workers urging the municipal government to stop the implementation of the project.

The mayor opined earlier that the project will be a very good compliment to the upcoming International Container Port which is a national government project.

Alegado said that the project will create more road network and will open more great opportunities and endless possibilities most especially in terms of business or economy, education, health, tourism etc.

“We will be fostering and undertaking a smart and a green city in the near future. We are being proactive here and we are leading the way. So we are very thankful for the overwhelming support we receive from the people who have the same foresight that we have and who are truly passionate for the betterment of our lives and who wants to broaden our horizon. We must move forward, never step back and not be left behind,” he said. —KQD (FREEMAN)