The Minglanilla Reclamation Project was a highlight as the Women’s Resource Center of Visayas, Inc. (WRCV) continued to implement the project, “Towards empowerment for social justice among women affected by national infrastructure projects in Cebu, Philippines.” The WRCV project is implemented in the following barangays, namely: Barangays Calajoan, Tungkop, Tulay, and Tungkil in the Municipality of Minglanilla, Barangay South Poblacion in the Municipality of San Fernando, and Barangays Sawang Calero and Suba in Cebu City. It partners with the women’s organizations in these barangays.
A forum on the Minglanilla Reclamation Project was organized by the WRCV at the Tungkop Covered Court last October 9, 2021.
The new project will cover 100 hectares of reclaimed sea in the coastal areas of Barangays Tungkil, Tulay and Calajoan. It will have an integrated mixed-use development that will house light industries, commercial, residential and port facilities, among others. It is a Public-Private Partnership between the Municipality of Minglanilla, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and other government agencies and the Cebu Landmasters Inc. with Ming-Mori Development Corporation (MMDC) as the developer.
Mark Leo M. Chang, Assistant Vice-President for Strategic Land Banking and Permits of the Cebu Land Masters said that the project is an “island type” of reclamation, which will be connected by two bridges to the mainland. The 100-hectare land area will be divided into two islands, one will span 75 hectares while the other will cover around 25 hectares. There will be 15 meters from the shoreline to the reclamation land and 30 meters distance in between the two small islands.
Representatives of the women’s and fishermen’s organizations questioned Mr. Chang during the open forum if there would be displacement of the residents from their livelihood. He said that since the reclamation project is an island type and will be located 15 meters from the coastline, no houses will be demolished and the fishermen can still have their fishing vessels pass through the 15-meter waterway, as well as collect seashells and fishing bait in the seashore. He added that in case there are demolitions of houses, the MMDC will provide a relocation site to build a socialized housing unit for the affected residents.
Mr. Chang also said that the CLI has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Minglanilla LGU that 70% of the employees in the business establishments in the business park will come from their municipality. He also said that when construction starts in the first quarter of 2022, residents can apply for jobs as construction workers in the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the municipality. There were more than 200 participants in the forum, coming primarily from Tungkop. A few residents were from Calajoan, Tungkil and Tulay. Barangay captains, barangay councilors and municipal officials also graced the activity. However, there were some residents who later expressed that any untoward effects of the project still remain to be seen. One resident after the forum said that the 100 -hectare island reclamation project will destroy the seabed and marine life. Consequently, the fishermen have to go farther to the sea to fish, which necessitates for them to secure bigger fishing vessels and fishing gear which they cannot afford. In this light, it can be said that there will still be dislocation of the fishermen from fishing as their main source of livelihood.
