THE Regional Development Council (RDC) has not made any sanction on the alleged proposed Negros – Cebu – Bohol – Leyte (NECEBOLEY) bridge, according to the environment committee report by its chairperson, provincial Board Member Atty. Jamie A. Villamor.
The said committee report was adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presided over by Vice-Gov. Nick Besas last week.
This came after a position paper of Tagbilaran Baywatch dated May 9, 2024, “Strongly Opposing the Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte (NECEBOLEY) bridge link 568 hectares and/or Reclamation of 568 Hectares Foreshore and Offshore in the Visayas Region.”
The SP also clarified that it has no knowledge regarding the 568-hectare reclamation project as opposed by the Baywatch.
“The Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) did not endorse the NECEBOLEY project.” This according to a letter from Archi. Jennifer C. Bretaña, Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) VII, dated June 20, 2024, addressed to Charlie E. Fabre, Officer-In-Charge of DENR Region VII, in response to the concerned bridge link.
The committee report added, “It is a different study from the Conduct of Feasibility Study (FS) for Cebu – Bohol and Cebu – Bohol – Negros Friendship Bridges with power, water, ICT transmission line that the RDC identified for the possible funding,” the report said.
The Tagbilaran Baywatch thru its spokesperson Atty. Gertrude Biliran, in her personal knowledge, alleged that, “the Provincial Governments of Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, already granted the Original Proponent Status through the Visayas NECEBOLEY Interlinked Holdings Corporation.”
The concern over the said proposed bridge link was raised for the critical ecological role of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef.
Rickie Deo V. Dalida, representative from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) collaborated with the standpoint of DENR and RDC, saying, the Provincial Government of Bohol has not yet endorsed any project relative to the NECEBOLEY bridge link.
RDC is supportive of the preservation of the Danajon Double Barrier Reef when it passed RDC Resolution No. 11-D series of 2024, supporting the declaration of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef as protected landscape and seascape.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office thru its head Jose Cleo Cary F. Colis in his letter dated July 22, 2024 said his office has not yet received project proposal/site development plan of the concerned NECEBOLY bridge link project.
The funding requirement for the proposed Feasibility Study has not been made available by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). (RVO)
