Letter to the Editor — Open letter to Gov. Gwen Garcia

I am writing this letter through the print media to seek your assistance and for the public to know. This is about the proposed reclamation project to be undertaken by the municipal government of Pinamungajan.

A letter dated 15 September 2006 signed by Mayor Yapha requested for your favorable endorsement of this 4.5 hectares reclamation project pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991 and being the chairman of the Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority.

This project has an appropriation of P6.9 Million, with reference to Item D Capital Outlay, Fund Account 101, Local Budget Preparation Form 157. It is also being supported by SB Resolution No. 96 requesting you, Honorable Governor, the authority to undertake such reclamation project.

The proposed reclamation site is a portion of what Pinamunganjons popularly call 'sawang' (basin) which is protected by two coral reefs ('paril) in the west facing the island of Negros. This 'sawang' hosts schools of mangsi, bolinao, humoy-humoy, kubal-kubal, salmonite and other species. When filling materials are put in place, seawater will definitely be silted threatening the coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses and estuarine.

Aside from the destruction of fish and marine ecosystem, the project will also destroy mountains and its vegetative cover because of the need for huge volume of filling materials.

Furthermore, can they not be practical in acquiring space for a bus terminal, a slaughterhouse and a wet market? Can they not use the P6.9 million instead in acquiring a property for these projects and save our foreshore areas? Sawang's characteristic is to let off very slowly any possible wastes caught in it putting more strain to this part of Tañon Strait - declared by DENR as a protected seascape.

Governor, please help us in enlightening these municipal officials of their misplaced priorities. Lecture them on how to take care of our coastlines currently threatened.

Finally Gov, save and protect us from these so-called stewards who want to create a new provincial government because like a reclamation project, this is another asinine idea.

George Nemenzo
Pinamungajan, Cebu