Marcos’ decision may pave way for Oro reclamation bid

PRESIDENT Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s approval of two reclamation projects in Manila Bay may pave the way for Cagayan de Oro City’s reclamation projects, an administration councilor said.

During the program ‘Ang Inyong Konseho Karon’ hosted by the City Information Office, Councilor Edgar Cabanlas referred to President Marcos’s decision to exempt two reclamation projects of the Pasay City government, one of which is funded by SM Prime.

Cabanlas co-chairs the City Reclamation Authority along with Mayor Rolando Uy.

“There are pending reclamation project applications in Dumaguete, Iloilo, and Davao cities…now with (President ‘Bongbong’ Marcos’s decision to approve the two Manila Bay reclamation projects), we may have seen a positive development, a light in our ambition to pursue reclamation projects in the city,” Councilor Cabanlas said in Visayan.

He also disclosed during the program that negotiations are underway between City Hall and an investor he declined to identify on a reclamation project covering 500 hectares in Macajalar Bay.

Cabanlas said the city is primed for reclamation owing to its geography.

“Cagayan de Oro City is 60 to 70 percent hilly and we have little area for development. Unlike Davao City whose land area is (244,000 hectares), Cagayan de Oro City is only 40,000 hectares making it a medium-sized city..we have to move to the sea to fully develop the city’s economic potential,” Cabanlas said in Visayan.

He also acknowledged that private developers can help fast-track the implementation of reclamation projects.

“Under the reclamation sharing scheme stipulated in the law, 49 percent of the reclaimed land will go to the private developer while 51 percent will be shared by the national government through the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the city government. The PRA will issue titles to the reclaimed land to the city government,” Cabanlas said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)