By Helen Castaño | 01:23 PM November 24, 2023
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap on Friday said that the P12-billion proposed Tagbilaran City Waterfront Development Project would not push through after a series of public consultation.
“Tungod kay ang inyong tingog, mao ang akong tingog, we will not continue with all activities relatee to the Tagbilaran City Waterfront Development Project tungod kay consultative ug participative ang akong style of leadership,” Yap told reporters during a mediacon held at the Bohol Tropics.
She said a series of public consultations were held on the proposed project.
She also said that she listened to advice of our Church through the discernment of Bishop Abet Uy.
“My priority will always be our people and our natural environment. The City Government of Tagbilaran will always listen to the voice of the people through its mission of consultative and participative governance,” said Yap.
“As the first woman mayor and the mother of Tagbilaran City, it is my duty to nurture our people and environment. A mother always listens to her children in order to make decisions that will be/ for the benefit of all. Following the leadership example of my husband, former Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, we have always recognized that for real progress to be realized in the City of Tagbilaran, collaboration of all sectors in society is essential,” she said.
” While we envision economic growth for Tagbilaran in order to provide more employment opportunities In our comrnunities, we always consider the environmental impact of our economic policies and programs as a way to protect our rich natural resources for the future generations of Tagbilaranons. We take our role as responsible stewards of God’s creations/ to heart, as part of our mission to protect the trust that has been given to us by the People,” she said.
Residents have expressed their opposition. These include evironment advocates, laywers, members of different church denominations, media, fishefolk and members of different civil society organizations.
The 153-hectare reclamation project dubbed “Tagbilaran City Waterfront Development (TCWD)” as proposed by Tagbilaran Waterfront Development Corporation (TWDC) aims to cover with soil the 153 hectares along the narrow strait between Panglao island and Tagbilaran City. It will cover at least six barangays – Mansasa, Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Cogon, Booy and a portion of Taloto.
