ILOILO City –The general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) lauded the city government’s plan to expand its land area through land reclamation.
However, according to Atty. Janilo Rubiato, all the requirements must be met.
Iloilo City needs additional space for further development, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He is eyeing 200 hectares of reclaimed land in the Iloilo Strait from Fort San Pedro in the City Proper to the fishing port complex and Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo district down south and up to Barangay Hinactacan, La Paz district up east.
Rubiato said land reclamation process is complex and tedious. There are many things to consider, and the city government must be ready to fulfill all the requisites. Among these are the following:
* an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and area clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
* scientific study on the potential impact of the reclamation activities on the environment
* before the DENR can issue an area clearance, the proponent must get certificate of no objection from other government agencies including Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Navy, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
* feasibility study to be submitted to the PRA
* detailed engineering study that will show the methodology of how the reclamation will be undertaken
“Kinahanglan pasaron ina nga mga standards,” said Rubiato.
Treñas said if Iloilo City is to further attract investments, it has to increase its land area.
“We will pursue this. If we do not have additional land, ang development makadto sa iban,” he said.
In 2017, a local real estate developer proposed to the city government P45-billion project that will reclaim 365 hectares of land from the Iloilo Strait that is separating this city from the island province of Guimaras.
Marikudo Real Estate Development Corp. (MREDC) proposed to build two man-made islands in the Iloilo Strait to expand this city’s land area, stimulate the local economy and generate more jobs.
Island A would be approximately 115 hectares while Island B about 250 hectares. Seven bridges will connect the islands to mainland Iloilo City.
The city mayor then was Jed Patrick Mabilog. Nothing came out of the plan./PN
