Cebu Province, the richest province in the country in terms of assets, has gotten even richer as it is set to acquire at least 4.3 hectares of premium reclaimed properties.
During a meeting at the Capitol Gallery on Thursday, July 25, at least four reclamation projects have presented to Gov. Gwen Garcia the Capitol’s mandatory 10% share of their actual usable reclaimed lands, which had been previously identified in a joint survey with Provincial Geodetic Engineer Roy Cabunilas and his team.
Of the four, Cebu South Harbor has identified and set aside 25,000 square meters of its reclaimed land in Talisay City; while Global Business Power in Toledo City has allocated a 6,826-square-meter share for the province.
Mabuhay Filcement and Solid Earth Development Corp., both based in San Fernando, have declared 7,192 square meters and 4,442 square meters of Capitol shares, respectively, of their individual reclamation projects.
The policy is covered under Capitol Provincial Ordinance No. 96-14 or the “Cebu Reclamation Ordinance,” as amended by Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-05, which entitles the Province to 10% of the usable, reclaimed land in all reclamation projects undertaken by the authority of the Province within its jurisdiction.
The figures will be formalized in an endorsement to the Economic Enterprise Council, chaired by Gov. Gwen, which among other things, prescribe policies, rules, and regulations on reclamations already undertaken and yet to be undertaken by government agencies and private entities in the province.
In addition to the four firms, four more reclamation proponents are scheduled to undertake a joint survey with the Capitol to identify the Capitol’s mandatory 10% share of the reclamation areas.
As of latest Commission on Audit report, Cebu Province has assets pegged at P309.8 billion, further cementing its status as the premier province in the country today.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Board Member Red Duterte, Capitol consultant Atty. Ben Cabrido Jr., department heads, and representatives from various reclamation projects in Cebu. | MAM
