EDITORIAL

Caticlan Reclamation Project

The Will To Achieve It

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Vision for a better Boracay tourism is shared by members of the Provincial Management Committee chaired by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez. Its members are Architect Nieven Maquirang, Manager Caticlan & Cagban Jetty Ports, Actg. Provincial Engineer Edelson Magalit, Engr. Roger M. Esto, Chief PPDO, and Hon. Rodson Mayor, SP member.

In a special Kapihan held at Smokehauz Resto & Bar on November 29, 2010, Hon. Mayor said that the Committee has received clearance from the Philippine Reclamation Authority to proceed with 2.64 has. reclamation project at Caticlan Jetty Port. In addition, Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) is issued by DENR after a two year exhaustive study and investigation to signal the project is "GO".

Funding comes from a P260 million floatation bond by Land Bank of the Philippines, the maturity of which is in a period of 10 years. According to Maquirang, the project is highly endorsed by UP Business Management Consultancy group citing volume of 1.6 million RORO passengers and tourist arrivals in 2010.

Engr. Magalit confirmed that cons-truction of Phase I of the project is set on December 1, 2010 by Manila-based contractor. It will include embankment of protection walls on eastern shoreline of the Jetty port. A breakwater on the western side jutting out approximately 40 meters into the Sulu sea from existing port will provide navigational shield for inter island watercraft during gusty southwestern moonson (habagat).

Hon. Rodson Mayor clarified that the existing Jetty Port complex in Caticlan is congested with passengers and vehicular traffic that needs urgent expansion. The total tourist arrivals to Boracay in 2010 has reached 750,000 and existing facilities do not measure up to international standard of the tourism industry. He debunked protests raised by LGU Malay and Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) as baseless since they have not come up with pertinent scientific studies or document to prove their claim that the proposed reclamation project will have an adverse environmental impact not only in Caticlan but the whole Boracay Island.

It appears that bitter controversy over reclamation project between the Provincial government on one hand and LGU Malay and BFI on the other as stake- holders started when the latter group was not involved in the planning process. It was like big brother bullying the small one. Hon. Mayor underscored that legal authority to reclaim land from open bodies of water lies with the Provincial government. "If local stakeholders want a piece of the action they can do so provided they sign a memo of agreement with the province", Mayor stressed.

There is no valid reason to support the idea that Jetty port in Caticlan is now "bursting at the seams" with in and out bound tourists and RORO passengers due to one entry, one exit policy. This started in 2003 when nautical highway was opened using jetty port as infra utility. Three years later, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) entered into a Memo of Agreement with LGU Aklan for enhanced services targeting RORO and inter-island passenger vessels. Boracay islands’ fabled white beach is courting environmental disaster. Fortunately mitigating measures installed in due time by authorities above prognosis didn’t happen.

LGU Malay should formulate an aggressive strategy of its own in the tourism bonanza if it does not want to partner with the Aklan provincial government. It has all the available resources to establish and operate a Municipal port in Argao that will cater to inter-island commerce.

Maquirang revealed in his observation that muddy brown waters that occur during inclement weather in Caticlan closely hugs the Panay coastline and never venture out to cross the narrow strait to Boracay which is 800 meters away. Scientific explanation is the operational presence of venturi effect. Strategic needle shaped Boracay Island in perpendicular proximity to the mainland abets extraordinary rushing of seawater and wind through the channel. It is like pulling the choke stick of the carburettor of an engine when cold starting it.

This is the reason why there is unusual scouring of coastline in this critical area between Caticlan and Manoc Manoc. Proof is that the symbolic tip of Manoc Manoc is now severed from the island and partially submerged in water comes as no surprise. Coastal erosion is a global phenomenon that converts 2 to 3 feet of offshore landmass to seawater every year. Meanwhile, climate change or rising sea level due to melting polar ice caps is estimated to be 1.0 meter for the next 50 years. Countdown has started in 2000. However, there are instances, like the case of Caticlan, where scouring action of waves and tidal water is more severe.

The establishment of Caticlan jetty port has contributed to a large extent coastal erosion in the area because of enhanced venturi effect. This can be exacerbated by the proposed breakwater infra.

It is indeed moot and academic to propose changes in the develop-ment plan of reclamation project, Phase I. Nevertheless, the issuance of ECC is not absolute and may be wrong. Everyone knows that DENR issues ECC to outmoded energy sources like coal fired power plants. It should be underscored that long range target of the provincial government is 36.0 has. In Caticlan and 4.0 has. in Cagban jetty port.

Current market price of residential lot in Caticlan is P4,000 per sq. m. or P40 million per hectare. The loan of P260 million could be of good use if this is invested on tiera firma or solid ground. At least 6.5 has. foreshore area adjacent to jetty port can be acquired by the government instead of 2.64 has. reclaimed property. The former is very stable while the latter unstable and environment unfriendly.

From reaction of members of Publishers Assn. of the Philippines (PAPI) and Prov’l. Press Club convention held on September 24 – 25, 2010 in Boracay were complaints of skyhigh prices of hotel and lodging accommodations. Filipinos comprise two-thirds of tourists coming to the Island hence surge of tourists could not be significant from local population.

There is no legal impediment to go ahead with planned reclamation. Most important is that a strong partnership and mutual respect be established with local stakeholders. Everyone wants progress and change. Let our leaders prove they have the brightest idea and the will to achieve it. /MP