By Alyanna Gabas and Yra Suarin
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo dismissed accusations of lack of transparency in the ongoing Construction of Shoreline Protection Project From Pantawan 1 Going South to Pantawan 2 at Rizal Boulevard.
“Sheer ignorance gyud nang muingon nga dili transparent kay atong gitabunan. Unsaon pag di transparent nga 5,000 students from Foundation University, didto gikan? [It’s sheer ignorance to say that it’s not transparent just because we covered it. How can it not be transparent when 5,000 students from Foundation University have already been there?],” he said.
He also urged the public to withhold judgment until the project’s completion, stating, “Hulata ra ninyo pag mahuman [Just wait for it to be finished].”
The project aims to protect the area from erosion and storm surges by constructing a seawall with reinforced concrete wave deflectors and breaker blocks.
Spanning 360 meters from Pantawan 1 to Pantawan 2, it will create an 8-meter buffer to widen the promenade and enhance safety for residents and visitors while ensuring the long-term stability of the Boulevard.
The Dumaguete City Government allocated ₱54 million for the seawall’s project, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Feb. 27, 2024.
Dumagueteños’ concerns
Some residents voiced concerns about insufficient communication from local officials.
“Locals should be more aware about that kay ang kwarta man sad na gikan sa locals. Unta importante ila gipang construct [because the money is from the locals. Hopefully what they are constructing is important],” one local said.
Meanwhile, there are residents who raised their uncertainties about the project’s purpose.
Another local said, “Ambot laman unsay pulos pero wa man jud ta kabalo, basin diay importante na ba [I do not know what the purpose is but we don’t know, maybe it is important].”
While some agree that repairs are necessary, they question the limited scope of the project.
“It seems necessary, pero weird sha kay kato ra dapita [but it’s strange that it’s only focused on one area]. It should look presentable since mao na ang sige gyud adtuan sa mga torista or mga locals [tourists or locals frequently visit that place],” the local added.
