Group opposes Minglanilla reclamation

CEBU, Philippines - The Franciscan Friars of Charity together with civil society groups opposed the reclamation project planned by the municipal government of Minglanilla.

In a letter signed by Br. Peter Simon Jardinico, FFC, the group is seeking for Governor Hilario Davide III and the Provincial Board to help stop the project.

"Believing you have the heart for the poor and a firm believer of the Christian Faith the way we do, we seek your help to stop the evil desire of the few to push through with the project in question," Jardinico said in a letter addressed to Davide.

Last Monday, the PB referred the matter to the committee on public works chaired by Board Member Christopher Baricuatro.

Among the reasons Jardinico cited was that the project did not pass through proper consultation.

Both former Calajo-an barangay captain Samuel Sedano and incumbent Barangay Captain Tito Balorio said that no public hearing was conducted on the proposed reclamation project.

On June 26, 2013, the local government of Minglanilla entered into a public-private partnership with Ming-More Development Corp. for the Minglanilla Reclamation and Industrial Park Development project.

Areas covered by the project are Barangays Calajo-an and Tulay.

Jardinico said the project is not a priority need of the residents.

"The local government unit failed to uplift the economic plight of the poor people, solved the pressing problems on drug addiction, proper garbage disposal and traffic congestion. Reclamation is not the answer to the problems of the impoverished ones," Jardinico said.

He also alleged that the project deprives fishermen easier access to the sea and it may only benefit the affluent, the businessmen, local officials and not the needy.

The company is set to kick off the construction of the project once the company gets the approval of the Public Reclamation Authority.

Located at the coastal roads of Barangay Tulay and Barangay Calajo-an, the proposed project is intended to house at least 50 local and foreign direct investors engaged in light and semiconductor industries.

Ming-More Development Corporation chairman Jose Soberano III earlier claimed they have received several endorsements from various government agencies to date.

He noted further that the reclamation project will initially occupy 100 hectares of property, which will be eventually expanded to 200 hectares.

Once fully developed, the industrial park is expected to provide about 100,000 employment opportunities in the local job market, he said.  (FREEMAN)