City opposes all foreshore lease applications

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has ordered the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to oppose all applications for foreshore lease, miscellaneous lease and sale, and all other tenurial applications here, effective immediately.

Benitez, in Monday’s press briefing, said this move aims to ensure that the city’s masterplan should be established first before any activity is undertaken on the shorelines.

He stressed that this applies to all, and does not exempt anyone, even public officials.

He said that the city will have a master plan in about three to four months.

Based on the memorandum order he signed, he directed CPDO head Mary Jean Ramos to issue and register objections to all tenurial applications involving the coastal areas of the city filed or endorsed in her office.

This is to ensure the effective and coordinated alignment of local initiatives with the mandates of Executive Order No. 32, as well as the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, and other city development projects, including among others the proposed coastal road projects of the city, Benitez said in the memorandum order dated February 5.

Benitez also said that this is to allow for a comprehensive review of existing policies, environmental considerations, and community concerns related to foreshore development.