The Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority (CPRA), through a motion carried unanimously, adopted the data furnished by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) as the basis for identifying the reclaimed lots in the Province of Cebu.
NAMRIA is the government agency mandated to provide the public with mapmaking services and to act as the central mapping agency, depository, and distribution facility for natural resources data in the form of maps, charts, texts, and statistics.
Engineer Leo Grafil, cartography division chief of NAMRIA, presented to CPRA, which is chaired by Gov. Gwen Garcia, the 1956 coastline map of Cebu, which shows the original geographical boundaries of Cebu prior to reclamation projects.
The presentation of NAMRIA was sought by the CPRA after Atlas Fertilizer in Toledo City insists that the lot they have been occupying is not reclaimed land.
NAMRIA’s report, once and for all, proves them wrong.
To strengthen the position of CPRA, Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco told Gov. Garcia that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will pass a resolution adopting the CPRA position.
As a matter of course, the CPRA now has the firm foundation of its insistence that Atlas Fertilizer should allocate to the Province of Cebu ten percent of its usable reclaimed lot, pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 2009-02.
The ordinance compels reclamation developers all over the province to allocate 10 percent of usable reclaimed lots or swap another property that has the same zonal, appraised, or market value. | Babie Jane Revecoy