DAVAO CITY—City Councilor Jimmy Dureza expressed optimism that the Philippine Reclamation Authority will approve Davao City’s multibillion-peso Mega Harbour, a pet project of former mayor of the city and now President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dureza, chairman of the committee on trade, commerce and industry, said the success of the P35-billion port and coastal development project now depends on whether the PRA will issue a reclamation permit.
Right before he assumed the presidency, Duterte entered into an agreement with Mega Harbour Port and Development for the proposed reclamation project, which was approved by the City Council last year.
The project will develop 214 hectares of coastline into a port and residential complex. At least 70 hectares will be developed into a port that will cater to both international and domestic containers.
Duterte signed the agreement on the assurance that people living in the coastline will not be displaced. The developer even promised that the project will provide livelihood opportunities for the residents.
The committee has undertaken massive information dissemination so the coastline residents will understand the objectives of the project.
An environmental group has opposed the project that will affect thousands of residents in the area.
EDIS executive director Mary Ann Fuertes said they were not informed about the project and pointed out that the residents in Isla Verde will be greatly affected by it.
Fuertes also asked for a consultation so that they can present their side.
“We are very eager to know about the components of the projects. We have also asked them for a consultative meeting to have a better understanding of the multibillion-peso project,” she said.