A proposed jetty port project that promised to bring prosperity to Barangay Tangnan, Panglao was flatly rejected by the majority of its residents after realizing that the “adverse effects of a port far outweigh its positive effects”.
Six hundred concerned residents including former town mayor – Benedicto Alcala proudly affixed their signatures in a five page paid ad in the Bohol Chronicle to “most respectfully ventilate our vehement and vigorous opposition” to any construction of a jetty port in Tabuan, Tangnan.
Calling themselves the “defenders of Tabuan Sea” the site of the assailed jetty port denounced Engr. Raul Teleron,
Chief Executive Officer of C. Harrison Power Enterprise and Construction Service for his “underhanded” manner in securing a favorable endorsement from the Sangguniang Barangay and the Sangguniang Bayan without any prior consultation from the local residents.
The unprecedented display of unity by residents of Barangay Tangnan which is home to a diverse mix of political affiliations showed their deep seated disgust over the condescending manner proponents of the jetty port handled the project.
Tangnan produced four town mayors – Benedicto Alcala, Toribio Bon, Perfecto Bon and Salvador Estoque and former Vice Mayor Evangeline Bon Lazaro.
The controversial jetty port project was downgraded into a beach landing procedure of unloading cargoes directly into the beach after Teleron convinced the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) that only aggregates will be unloaded instead of heavy equipments.
Invoking their right to a balanced ecology that should be “protected amidst progress and development” the 600 residents who signed the document believed that the construction of any port will lead to the destruction of their marine environment.
Known for its pristine waters and home to the world renown diving sites, the residents recalled that the proposed site of the jetty port was a special place in the barangay’s history as the site of a market and the hub of commerce and transportation.
Attached to the manifesto were the Barangay Resolution No. 03-2015Â unanimously withdrawing their signatures and support authorizing C Harrison to construct and operate a jetty port in their barangay.
The withdrawal of support from the SB stemmed from the deception employed by Teleron when a notarized barangay resolution, considered a first in the annals of local legislation was presented to the municipal council to buttress his claim of the barangay’s nod to his proposal.
AÂ draft Memorandum of Agreement which was left unsigned by Barangay Head Cirilo Gatase, Jr. showed lopsided provisions in favor of the proponent.
Contrary to the claims of Mayor Leonila Montero during the public forum on March 13, 2015 that the port will be open to all cargo operators, the jetty port shall be for the exclusive use of the contractor for ten years to be used for the loading and unloading of materials needed for the construction of the New Bohol Airport.
The barangay will also assume the sole responsibility for any grievances or complaints arising from any residents due to the construction of the jetty port.
Two municipal councilors – Rogelin Degoma and Jasper Arcay also wrote the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of their vehement opposition to the project after the resolution approving the jetty port was railroaded in the SB.
The jetty port scandal blew wide open after a series of articles by the Chronicle exposed the apparent lack of credentials of the contractor and his seeming penchant for name dropping.
The Chronicle articles drew the attention of the winning bidder of the Php7.2 billion New Bohol Airport – Chiyoda-Mitsubishi Joint Venture after Teleron bragged that C Harrison Power was their sub contractor for the airport project.
Katsuyuki Yamada, General Manager of Chiyoda Corporation wrote the Editor of the Bohol Chronicle disavoving any business relationship with C. Harrison and categorically stating that the company is not their sub contractor.
Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio, chair of the New Bpjp; Airport Local Project Management Team and Yuki Todoruki, consultant of the Japan Airport Consultants both expressed surprised when informed about the jetty port project. (CMV)