A forum on the Minglanilla Reclamation Project was organized by the Women’s Resource Center of Visayas, Inc. (WRCV) at the Calajoan Covered Court last November 12, 2021.
Atty. James Abadia, general manager, and Mark Leo M. Chang, Assistant Vice-President for Strategic Land Banking and Permits of the Cebu Landmasters, respectively, discussed details of the project.
The new project will cover 100 hectares of reclaimed sea in the coastlines of Barangays Tulay, Calajoan and Tungkil. It will have an integrated mixed-use development that will house light industries, commercial, residential and port facilities, and parks, among others. It is a Public-Private Partnership between the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and other government agencies and the Ming-Mori Development Corporation (MMDC) which will develop the project.
Atty. Abadia 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. Land for the reclamation will be extracted by quarrying from the mountains of Minglanilla or other parts of Cebu.
Residents asked the two speakers if there would be displacement of the residents living along the coastlines. Atty. Abadia 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. He also said that fishermen can continue to get seashells and fishing bait from the seashore. Three natural springs in the coastline of Calajoan that provide the communities with fresh water will also be preserved.
In terms of environmental impact, Mr. Chang said that the mangroves in the coastline of Calajoan will be preserved and the company will plant more mangroves. In terms of urban impact, the reclamation project will generate 75,000 jobs after completion. He said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently conducting a house census to identify the skills of the people which can be tapped for jobs in the reclamation project.
Mr. Chang also said that the CLI has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Minglanilla LGU that 80% of the employees in the business establishments in the business park will come from their municipality. He also said that civil construction works shall start in the first quarter
of 2022, together with various infrastructure improvements surrounding and leading towards the site. The Public Employment Service of the municipality will post job vacancies in public announcement sites.
Mr. Chang also said that there shall be a Task Force composed of company and municipality representatives to address problems that will arise. Upon recommendation of the residents, Mr. Chang said that the Task Force will include representatives of the civil society organizations. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new project was held on October 26, 2021.
