Alaminos City given control of reclaimed land

[LQT]

Alaminos City given control of reclaimed land

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:51:00 04/02/2008

ALAMINOS CITY - The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has allowed
the city government to take control and manage all activities within
the reclaimed portion of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP), the
Lucap Wharf and its foreshore areas.

"Finally, we can ensure the protection of the environment while
attracting business investors to translate to livelihood and more jobs
for the people," said PRA general manager Andrea Domingo.

Domingo and Mayor Hernani Braganza signed a memorandum of agreement on
the city government's management and supervision of a 34-hectare
reclaimed area at Lucap. The city is planning to develop the area as
residential and business zones.

"[Braganza] has my full support in his drive to develop the reclaimed
property while preserving the natural resources of the Hundred
Islands," Domingo said in a statement.

She asked the mayor to ensure that residents and investors would
comply with the guidelines, rules and regulations on reclamation.

PRA, Domingo said, would review, evaluate and approve all reclamation
projects in Lucap Bay and its foreshore areas. She said the agency
would "strictly monitor" compliance.

Domingo has also offered the PRA's expertise to help the city in its
development plan and future activities in the reclaimed area.

Braganza, in a statement, said the arrangement gave the city the
"sense of preparation" to correct the "unplanned reclaimed areas."

"Such agreement has given me the clear authority to develop a master
plan. Hopefully, residents and business operators ... could now have a
sense of security," he said.