MEETING. Mayor Galicano Truita of Dauin, Negros Oriental (right, in blue) presents the Apo Island floating wharf project during a meeting at a hotel on Friday (Sept. 6, 2024). The project will commence construction in October and will be operational early 2025. (PNA photo by Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – There will be no unnecessary demolition of structures of Apo Island residents amid the impending construction of a modern floating wharf which was stalled this year, Mayor Galicano Truita of Dauin, Negros Oriental assured Friday.
“We have a new law of 40 meters easement from shore and some residents fear their homes will be demolished but I told them we have not yet reached that stage yet,” Truita said in reaction to complaints from islanders.
He assured the local government is addressing the concerns raised by islanders, who earlier signed a petition against the project for fear of being displaced and possible environmental damage.
“Some of the petitioners are slowly withdrawing their objections after they understood the necessity of building a floating wharf for the safety and convenience of residents and visitors,” he explained.
They were also made to understand that with a new berthing facility, more tourists would be visiting the island, thus spurring economic activity and benefitting them, he added.
Truita presented the slightly revised project as recommended by the technical working group during the regular meeting of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape at a hotel here.
“The design has not been revised but the original proposed location of the floating wharf was moved to the front of the island to avoid damage to the local biodiversity,” the mayor said.
The possible demolition of the structure that houses the PAMB office and the old chapel is necessary as the area will form part of the floating wharf project, according to Truita.
A new PAMB office will be built away from the shore while a new chapel will also be farther inland, he added, with a demolition permit required by PAMB.
The parish priest had already agreed to the demolition.
Some residents have claimed ownership of the land on which the old chapel stands, but Truita said the land was donated to the church.
Residents who are protesting the project have declined media interviews.
For his part, Apo Island village chief Mario Pascobello disputed claims by some residents that no public consultation was made.
Pascobello said meetings were held before the launching of the project.
He also reiterated the mayor’s pronouncement that motorboats currently plying the Apo Island route will not be displaced, including those whose income is derived from rentals for snorkeling equipment and food stalls.
Meanwhile, the jetty port and passenger terminal in Barangay Maayong Tubig in mainland Dauin are around 90 to 95 percent complete and will be inaugurated on Sept. 25, Truita said.
The project cost for both the island’s floating wharf and the mainland port facilities is pegged at PHP270 million.
Construction of the Apo Island floating wharf is expected to commence in October and will be operational about three or four months later, the mayor said. (PNA)
