Tacloban reclamation project investigated

TACLOBAN CITY – The Public Reclamation Authority (PRA) is investigating what is said is the unauthorized reclamation project in Cancabato Bay here.

PRA General Manager and CEO Janilo E. Rubiato told Manila Bulletin the project at the back of Ambassador Hotel on Real St. was not authorized by the agency or the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Rubiato said a site inspection made by his office together with the staff of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) last November confirmed that part of the bay at the back of the hotel has been reclaimed.

The hotel management, which is constructing a new commercial building on the bay, claimed it has papers authorizing the reclamation.

But the hotel’s expansion project is within the 40-meter, no-build zone imposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the city in 2013.

Rubiato has written CENRO Officer Forester Manuel C. Ferreras, who is based in Palo, Leyte, for the documents covering the foreshore lease agreement and other papers related to the project.

The PRA said the improvement on the bay is covered by an alleged approved Foreshore Lease Agreement (FLA) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office in Tacloban City.