ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. Kim Gargar, spokesperson of environmental group Panalipdan said that the implementation of the Davao Coastline and Port Development Project will destroy marine life ecosystems, not only in the areas to be reclaimed, but from the areas where suitable earth materials will be extracted to be used in the reclamation. A public forum on the project was held Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod building in Davao City.(Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The P40-billion Mega Harbour Project here did not sit well with pro-environment and urban poor groups, saying the planned 214-hectare reclamation and port project may pose a threat to the coastal environment and cause displacement of residents in the affected area.
Prof. Kim Gargar, spokesperson of environmental group Panalipdan told the City Council and Mega Harbour Port officials Wednesday that the reclamation project will destroy the marine life ecosystems, not only in the area to be reclaimed, but also the offshore sources where earth may be extracted.
“We saw earlier that it may take 1 million dump trucks full of sand extracted from the seas. This is not a simple environmental damage that we can easily sweep aside, this is a very big disaster that will not only affect Davao City,” Gargar said.
“Have we conducted a survey of the mangrove areas, coral reefs, sea cucumbers and other sea organisms not only in the area which will be buried, but also in the area where we will extract the earth?” he asked.
“Our ecosystems are interconnected. This will not only affect the Davao gulf, but will also affect the Celebes Sea and the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. If the Mega Harbor has had studies of this, it should be made public.” Gargar pointed out.
Panalipdan warned that the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate wouldn’t assure that there will be no environmental destruction, citing the case of the Philex Mining in Benguet which spilled at least 20 tons of toxic waste to the water channels in 2012, eventually becoming the biggest mining disaster in Philippine history.
Benjie Badal, spokesperson of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, said the project in question would also cause imminent displacement and loss of livelihood of the residents.
“We are aware of the negative effects that this project will bring to our livelihood and the environment. This project will result into massive displacement and demolition of informal settlers, and the loss of marine protected areas in the Davao Gulf which fishermen depend on. In essence, we are being deprived of our livelihood,” Badal said.
“Secondly, according to the Joint Venture Agreement, the capitalists have much to gain with the 10-year exemption in real property tax. This project will favor the capitalists, not the poor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manuel Noche, master planner of the reclamation project said that while he understands the concerns of those criticizing the project, he said these groups must also look at “progress.”
“I cannot say that they are right or that they are wrong. Definitely these concerns will have to be addressed or listened to. But at the same time they should also look at progress, to a certain extent. It cannot be one sided only. As much as possible, we would like to work with them and solve problems. But being oppositionists all the time may be detrimental to the country,” Noche said.
The Mega Harbour project covers the coastline along Sta. Ana Wharf to Bucana area where it plans to develop industrial park, commercial complex, residential areas, and a modernized port, among others. (davaotoday.com)
