Mr. Robinson Sy, president of Asian Shipping Corp., said they will comply with all necessary requirements laid down by Cebu’s governing ordinance on reclamation, specifically on the allocation of 10% of usable actual reclaimed land in favor of the province.
This was the resolution of the meeting called by Gov. Gwen Garcia at the Capitol on July 16 which was also attended by third district Congressman Pablo John Garcia and members of the Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority (CPRA) which include Board Member Glenn Soco, Board Member Jiembo Borginia, and Board Member Raul Bacaltos.
Under Ordinance No. 96-14 or the “Cebu Reclamation Ordinance,” the CPRA, chaired by the governor, is tasked to, among others, approve, undertake, and prosecute reclamation projects in Cebu; as well as prescribe policies, rules, and regulations on reclamations already undertaken and yet to be undertaken by government agencies and private entities in the province.
The said ordinance has been amended during Gov. Gwen’s terms in 2009, 2023, and 2024 under the current provision that decrees that the Province shall be entitled to 10% of the actual usable reclaimed land in all reclamation projects in Cebu.
Gov. Gwen said such a policy ensures that the Province benefits from the development and economic opportunities that arise from reclamation projects in its jurisdiction.
However, the CPRA found out that Asian Shipping has reclaimed approximately 5 hectares of land in Brgy. Pitalo, San Fernando southern Cebu, but failed to comply with the requirements set by the ordinance.
Atty. Rolando Cruz, the company lawyer, apologized to the Governor for this oversight, explaining that the proponents were unaware of the ordinance.
Nevertheless, he added, they are very much willing to comply and will assist the CPRA in conducting a survey of the land to ascertain its legally mandated share.
They also expressed good intentions and a willingness to attend every meeting to be called by the CPRA moving forward.
The company has been a leading provider of bulk cargo transport to cement, power, and mining firms for over five decades. | BJR