INQUIRER Global Nation

Officials in the Visayas are calling on Malacañang to amend an executive order that governs the approval of reclamation project worth more than P200 million to include the approval of regional development planners.

“(Regional Development Council) endorsement should be crucial so that other Local Government Units (LGUs) will be given a chance to express their sentiments on the project,” said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia is chairperson of the Visayas Regional Development Committee (RDCom) – the collective voice of all three Visayas regions – which held its second quarterly meeting at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

She said there is a need to consult RDCs since big reclamation projects may impact neighboring LGUs and the entire region.

During the meeting, the Visayas RDCom passed a resolution seeking an amendment reclamation project approval guidelines.

“Under the existing laws, the President of the Republic of the Philippines is the approving authority of all reclamation projects,” said the resolution.

On June 26, 2006, Arroyo issued Executive Order (EO) No. 543, delegating that authority to the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

The PRA issued Administration Order (AO) No. 2007-2 on Jan. 31, 2007 to provide the implementing rules and regulation.

AO 2007-2 recognizes the need for the reclamation permit applicant to comply with a number of requirements, including the need to secure clearances from “other concerned government agencies.”

But Efren Carreon, National Economic Development Authority in Central Visayas (Neda-7) director, said that in most cases, only reclamation projects that cost below P200 million undergo RDC review in compliance with the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) law.

Carreon said the BOT law requires projects worth P50 million to P200 million implemented through the BOT scheme to undergo RDC review.

He said the law is “silent” on the implementation of government-funded reclamation projects.

Garcia said local planners like the Provincial Reclamation Authority in Cebu could review government funded reclamation projects, which are often small-scale.

Since RDCs were given the constitutional mandate to assist the President in accelerating socio-economic development in each region, it is also the most appropriate body that should recommend the implementation of reclamation projects in their respective areas.

“The RDCs are in a better position to determine which local projects are supportive to and/or can contribute to the attainment of the development objectives enunciated in the regional and national development plans,” said the RDCom resolution.

The RDCom resolution sought the help of the NEDA Board Regional Development Committee.

The Visayas RDCom asked the Neda committee to recommend to the President that she direct the PRA to amend EO 543 and include RDC recommendation.

Also, the Visayas RDCom wanted the of review reclamation projects as one of their functions.