SC asked to stop Sasa port project

By Cheneen R. Capon
An incumbent member of the Davao City Council, three former councilors, members of the Samal City Resort Owners Association, Inc (SCROA) and other concerned citizens filed an urgent petition for writ of continuing mandamus/writ of Kalikasan with prayer for Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) before the Supreme Court last Wednesday to stop the implementation of the controversial P18.9-billion Davao Sasa port modernization project
The group includes Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Sr., former councilors Peter Laviña, Pilar Braga, Antonio Vergara, Benjie Badal and SCROA represented by lawyers Harry Roque and Roger Rayel, asked the highest court to prohibit the implementation of the alleged overpriced port modernization project.
Roque, also one of the complainants, said the project is being rushed to be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) during the election season.
The petitioners also said the DOTC did not secure an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and did not consult members of the affected communities before proceeding with the bidding process last year.
Sasa Port is a government operated port terminal with a total area of 18.09 hectares. The facility handles mainly container cargo, some general and break bulk cargo and small number of passengers.
The Sasa port modernization project is a project enrolled under the Public Private Partnership (PPP). DOTC has invited bidders to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the Sasa Port project.
Earlier, members of the City Council of Davao passed a resolution rejecting the project for alleged violation of Sections 2 and 27 of the Local Government Code requiring consultation and prior approval from the local government before proceeding with any national government project.
City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte later concurred with the resolution rejecting the project.
Mahipus earlier asked Regional Development Council-11 chairman, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, to withdraw its resolution endorsing the Sasa Port Project pending coordination efforts from DoTC.
The RDC issued Resolution No. 118 on December 21, 2014 endorsing the Sasa Port subject to several conditions which were not complied with by the DOTC until now.
The business sector here also opposed the bid price of P18.99 billion which would translate to higher cost of handling fees and other port and shipping charges.
Earlier, administration standard bearer Mar Roxas promised Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. president Bonifacio Tan that he will look into the controversy but reneged on his promise. (CRC with reports from PNA)