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Negros Oriental SP shoots down Degamo’s veto against reclamation-free zones

Posted by HiLitesASHS on

By Ana Rufa Padua

The Negros Oriental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) overrode Governor Roel Degamo’s veto against an ordinance that declares Dumaguete’s marine protected areas (MPAs) as “reclamation-free zone.”

With a unanimous vote of 12-0 by the provincial board members, the ordinance that stood in defiance to the “Smart City” reclamation project was passed on Monday, September 27.

Once signed into law, the ordinance will forbid all foreshore and offshore reclamation activities in all MPAs in Dumaguete City.


“Smart City” reclamation project is a plan proposed to use 174-hectares of Dumaguete City to build commercial and residential areas, including malls, condominiums, and a docking port for a projected yacht club.

Despite Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo assuring the citizens that the reclamation would bring about job and livelihood opportunities, the project was met with great opposition due to the possibility of irreversible damage to the city’s marine ecosystem which serves as a major source of living and income for its residents.

Last September 21 (Tuesday), Glenn Carballo—owner of Azure Dive Resort—initiated a dive to determine the current state of the corals and seagrass beds in the area. 

More or less 40 people joined the dive on Tuesday morning to show their support for the “No to 174 Reclamation” movement that has been ongoing for more than two months.

According to Carballo, Smart City will not only affect coral reefs in Dumaguete but also those in Bacong, Dauin, and Zamboanguita.

Citizens of Dumaguete are not the only ones who have been concerned with the repercussions of  Smart City, as its neighboring provinces stand with them in opposing the said project.

On July 29, the Sangguniang Barangay of Apo Island had also released a resolution stating how the “Smart City” contributes to waste in areas beyond the reclamation site.

“The massive reclamation project of Dumaguete City and the construction of two islands and any dredging activities thereof will release huge amounts of sediment plumes, construction debris and waste to other areas beyond the reclamation site,” the resolution read.

Dauin’s municipal council also released a resolution for the Dumaguete City government on August 17, requesting for “transparency and consultative decision-making process” regarding the said reclamation project.

“The highest economic revenue of Dauin comes from fisheries and ecotourism,” the council added.

Dumaguete City was on the rise due to its ocean activities prior to the pandemic, garnering 706,689 tourists in 2018 and more than 800,000 overnight travelers in 2019.

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Photo Source: Floramae Joyce Neri | Rappler