Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, February 28, that he supports the proposed reclamation projects in Barangay Banago, Bacolod, that will draw investments to the city.
Residents aired their opposition to the proposed 150-hectare reclamation project of the group of businessman Jerry Sy in Barangay Banago, which they said would dislocate them from their homes and livelihoods, at a Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment hearing on Monday.
Councilor Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella, SP Committee on Environment chairman, said the residents’ concerns and the side of the proponents will be taken into consideration.
The Banago residents are asking the SP to deny the Sy group’s request for a Resolution of No Objection to the project.
The Bacolod Reclamation Gateway Corp. of the family of Councilor Vladimir Gonzalez is also proposing a public private partnership with the city government for the reclamation of 600 hectares in barangays 1, 2 and Banago, Puentevella said.
Benitez pointed out that in Cebu thousands of hectares being reclaimed have brought growth to the area.
He said the reclamation projects will not be to the disadvantage of the residents, they will in fact be to their advantage.
The reclamation projects will provide more property for onsite housing for the residents and other uses that will be beneficial to them, Benitez said.
New government polices on reclamation projects incorporate protection of the livelihood of the fisherfolk, he said.*