Group wants to stop all recla projects

CEBU, Philippines - Oceana, the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organization, is calling on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to stop all reclamation projects in the country or it will file charges.

"We are set to file a case before the Supreme Court against destruction of our life support system," said Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Ramos said they have been sending letters to the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the Department of Budget and Management with the same request.

They are also supporting the move of Senator Cynthia Villar to abolish the PRA, formerly the Philippine Estate Authority created by then president Ferdinand Marcos.

 "We hope local officials will look into their mandate of environmental protection, protect the people, protect the environment," she said.

 Oceana works to protect and restore the world's oceans through targeted policy campaigns.

Lawyer Rocky Guzman, Oceana Policy Officer, said they would have study the policy of the Duterte government before taking legal action.

"Right now, we are exploring the possibility. We are working with the government and stakeholders to really check the policy on reclamation. Kapag di mag-follow sa law, we will file the case," Guzman told The Freeman.

 In Cebu, Ramos said there are eight proposed reclamation projects in the pipeline, including the 1,500-hectare Cordova reclamation project proposed by SM Prime Holdings worth P138 billion.

 Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy earlier said the municipal government will follow the correction of PRA that it would need to sign a partnership with the Cebu provincial government first before the project will be pursued.

 This after a top official from PRA reportedly said that municipalities don't have the authority to reclaim - only cities and provinces do - under the Local Government Code. The Cebu provincial government will be the one that will seek PRA's approval.

 Sitoy said SMPHI will have to work on several requirements which entail expenses, including the feasibility study. — /JMO (FREEMAN)