Naga to comply with reclamation requirements

CEBU, Philippines — Former Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong clarified that the city will still comply with all the requirements set by Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) in undertaking the reclamation projects, even if they have the authority to reclaim foreshore lands.

This, after Chiong was quoted in a published report saying that the city does not need permission from the PRA and the Cebu provincial government to reclaim foreshore areas.

Chiong said that based on Republic Act 9491 or an Act Converting the Municipality of Naga in the Province of Cebu into a Component City to be known as the City of Naga, the city had the authority to reclaim foreshore lands including submerged lands within their jurisdiction, in accordance with RA 1899 otherwise known as the Act Authorizing the Reclamation of Foreshore lands by chartered cities and municipalities.

“Yes, it is true that within our charter, Naga has the authority to reclaim foreshore lands, but we also recognize the PRA as a special body supervising any reclamation,” he said.

He also mentioned R.A. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 which authorized provinces and cities to fund and undertake reclamation projects to service the needs of their residents.

Currently, Naga is pursuing the 146-hectare reclamation project called the City of Naga Coastal Development Project (CNCDP) through the leadership of his daughter, City Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong.

The project aims to provide adequate space for business and industrial purposes and to cope with the residential demand of the city’s growing population since the city has limited flat terrain. (FREEMAN)