Dumaguete City: Residents of Barangay Bantayan here, joined by various groups, are calling for the halting of a coastal road expansion in this capital city of Negros Oriental, citing possible negative impacts on the marine environment, the fishing community, and other stakeholders.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gary Rosales, president and co-founder of the environmental advocacy group Kahugpungan para sa Kinabuhi ug Kinaiyahan, Inc. (Kinaiyahan), mentioned in an interview that a signature campaign is ongoing against the project. Rosales stated that the coastal road expansion project will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will stretch several kilometers of shoreline from Barangay Banilad to Silliman Beach in Barangay Bantayan.
One of the major concerns of the groups is the looming destruction of Silliman Beach, which is the last public beach in this city. The DPWH-Region 7 (Central Visayas) recently conducted a public consultation in Barangay Bantayan, but Rosales noted that they were not provided a copy of the project brief, although it was presented to them. During the consultation, residents and barangay officials unanimously expressed their opposition to the project, which they believe will destroy Silliman Beach.
The signature campaign and the petition by Barangay Bantayan residents and officials on the website https://chng.it/hFC6ws4HVn highlight concerns such as Silliman Beach being a vital source of sustenance and livelihood for the local fishing community, its integral part in the city's cultural and social heritage, the potential destruction of marine life and the ecosystem, and its academic importance, being located near Silliman University's marine laboratory.
The petition also calls for the city and national governments to take action, such as not giving a Letter of No Objection to the DPWH-7, ensuring the long-term protection and preservation of Silliman Beach, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development strategies that respect ecological boundaries. The petitioners are advocating for comprehensive public consultations and environmental impact assessments to be conducted.
