Emar’s Hotel and Wavepool and Queensland Motel’s Bay Walk in the foreshore area of Matina Aplaya are projects that the national government would like to see in the country’s coastal areas, said Ed Destura of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Destura appeared at the Davao City Council on Tuesday to answer queries on the request for approval of resolutions of ‘No Objection’ by Emar’s and Queensland.
Emar’s has built its wavepool facility and Queensland its Bay Walk on a reclaimed area of a Recreation Area declared as city government property under Proclamation 20 issued in 1954 by the late President Magsaysay.
Both projects required a permit from the PRA, the government agency tasked with regulating and approving reclamation areas.
Destura said PRA’s vision is to see Davao City’s foreshores area transformed into income generators for revenues for both the local and national governments.
He told city councilors that PRA in fact has submitted to the Office of the President Economic Cluster Committee a comprehensive plan on the Davao Gulf coastal areas, that included Matina Aplaya, that gives focus on how the government can transform foreshore areas into business areas in viable economic partnerships with private investors.
Destura said PRA would soon be discussing the plan with city officials.
Destura said PRA has among its other tasks would “legalize illegal reclamations” like Emar’s and Queensland which have no permits from the PRA or the Department of Environment and Natural Rssources (DENR).
Emar’s and Queensland are also seeking a similar resolutions of “No Objection” for their application for Foreshore Lease Agreement (FLA) with DENR.
PRA would not be derailing business activities in the foreshore areas but assist them legalize their reclamation projects, Destura said told. ROGER M. BALANZA
Emar’s Wavepool, Queensland part of PRA plan in Davao coastline
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