DAVAO CITY—The city government has applied with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to reclaim the areas enclosed by the 18-kilometer coastal road project.
Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte and Acting City Administrator Francis Mark H. Layog signed last January 25 a Memorandum of Understanding with PRA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Janilo. E. Rubiato and PRA Board Members Dioscorro E. Esteban Jr. and Nolasco K. Bathan.
The city government application contained in the MOU covers an area of 57 hectares of reclaimable areas.
City Planning and Development Coordinator Ivan C. Cortez said the application “stems from the strategy of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in avoiding structures along the Davao City Coastal Road.”
“The city government deemed it necessary to secure the spaces between the coastline and the coastal road with the Philippine Reclamation Authority as one of the first steps in ensuring we can develop the space properly as warranted by socioeconomic and environmental demands of the city,” Cortez said.
The City Mayor’s Office has earlier officially sent a letter of intent to the PRA on March 18, 2018, Cortez said. From then on, he added, the city worked with various offices concerned and processed the documentary requirements, including the financial requirements.
Open space
AMONG the requirement was a resolution and ordinance from the Sangguniang Panlungsod authorizing the City Mayor to enter and sign on behalf of the City of Davao the MOU between the city and PRA “relative to the application for reclamation along Davao City Coastal Road Project.”
Duterte said the initial plan was for the reclaimed areas “to become an open space for people to enjoy leisure activities.”
Rubiato said his office “has determined that the city is pre-qualified for the reclamation.” He said the MOU “basically outlines the requirements and the deadlines for submission.”
“Without proper engineering, the structural integrity of the reclaimed land won’t be sustained and the environment would not be protected. With our guidance, we will make sure that the city, the plans of the city and the methodology will be okay so that the structural filling up of the submerged area will be to the standard. Importantly, the environment will be protected if there will be effects at least we can institute mitigating measures,” he said.
Cortez said some portion of the 57 hectares may not be totally reclaimed “because some portions will be allotted for fishermen.”
