Cordova reclamation endorsed to PRA

Melissa Q. Cabahug, Correspondent

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) yesterday ratified and endorsed to the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) the proposed Cordova reclamation project.
The endorsement brings proponent SM Prime Holdings, Inc. a step closer to securing regulatory approvals for the 1,500-hectare reclamation project, said Dr. Eddie Llamedo, information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“The approval of the resolution endorsing the project is just one of the many requirements to commence or initiate the process in securing an area clearance for a reclamation project,” Llamedo said in a text message last night.
An area clearance, which is signed by the DENR Secretary, is among the documents required for PRA approval of a reclamation project.
PB Member Arleigh C. Sitoy, author of the resolution, said “what will happen is the PRA will ask for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and other requirements from the town.”
The project might not push through if it is found to pose a negative impact on marine biodiversity, he added.
His father, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, was pleased with the endorsement. The mayor was present during the regular PB session yesterday, “When it will be approved, it will help our townspeople in terms of livelihood and our town’s economy as well,” he said in Cebuano. He said SM Prime earlier agreed to give priority to providing alternative livelihood of the 2,000 fisherfolk who will be affected by the project as well as the education of their children.
The PB resolution, passed on mass motion, endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), through the PRA, the joint venture agreement between Cordova and SM Prime to undertake the reclamation project under the public-private partnership scheme.
The project, estimated to cost P138 billion, will reclaim and develop 1,500 hectares of seagrass beds and mangrove areas in barangays Day-as and Pilipog.
Based on the resolution, government will get 765 hectares, or 51 percent, of the reclaimed property while the developer will get 735 hectares, or 49 percent.
The government’s share, which will include roads and open spaces, will be divided among Cordova, the provincial government and PRA. The provincial government is entitled to 10 percent.
A copy of the resolution showed that the PB confirmed in an April 8 resolution the authority of Cordova to negotiate for a joint venture agreement to undertake the project.
A separate resolution by the Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority on April 8 gave “permission to Cordova to proceed with the Swiss challenge to select a private partner for the project.”
In a letter dated April 21, Cordova informed the provincial government that “detailed negotiations have been completed and a public consultation conducted.” The letter stated that the municipal government was “set to publish the notice inviting PSPs (private sector partners) to submit comparative proposals.”
It was not known when the Swiss challenge was conducted. But the PB resolution yesterday noted that no private sector partner challenged SM Prime’s proposal.
Cordova and SM Prime signed a joint venture agreement last month.