SOGOD. Southern Leyte – Environmentalists and some residents are raising concern over a starting government project reportedly within or near a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The concerned residents claim that the reported Shoreline Protection or Dike project in Sitio Liberty in Barangay Mac, Sogod, Southern Leyte was allegedly without consultation and coordination with the local government of Sogod town. They claimed further that the new project was well within the protected marine protected area and that the dike would be placed where the mangrove trees are growing.
Meanwhile, in a phone interview with SLT, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte – Sub Office, clarified that the allegations circulating in social media regarding the proposed project of constructing a Shoreline Protection or Dike at the Marine Protected Area in Sogod is now being addressed by their office.
Sub-District Engineering Office Officer-in-Charge Engrineer Urvi Telen, informed SLT that “We have scheduled a meeting on Monday (July 10) with barangay officials, residents, and construction company to thresh out issues regarding the proposed project.”
When asked about the construction materials already found in the area, Telen said, “The backhoe and some filling materials are sent for prepositioning only.”
According to Telen, mangroves will not be cut and the said project will not harm the mangrove trees or the “bakhaw” plantation.
Dike project in Protected Area raises public uproar
