Photo contest really an anti-reclamation plug?
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Is an upcoming underwater photography contest nothing more
than another ploy to demonize the Panglao reclamation project?
This was the question raised by a resort owner who disclosed that
there is a brewing plan to hold a contest in the proposed site of one of
the reclamation projects.
The source, who said he is not privy to the details of the contest,
spoke on condition that he will not be named.
“From the few details that I got, it seems that an upcoming
underwater photography contest is actually intended to put all the
reclamation projects on the defensive,” the source said.
The source maintained that he did not know where exactly the site of
the contest was when asked if it was possible for him to give hints.
He noted that as far as he knows, there are at least two proposed
reclamation projects off the shore in Panglao.
The source also refused to comment if it was possible that one of the
proponents was initiating the contest to undermine the other.
“What few people realize is that there are more than one reclamation
project proponents but there seems to be a deliberate effort to omit
this important fact,” the source added.
Asked to elaborate on his suspicions that the contest could actually
be a ploy to generate negative reactions against the reclamation
project, the source said the pro-environment theme gave it away.
“If they are really concerned about the environment, they should
focus on the continued deterioration of the Balicasag dive spot,” he
added.
The source said that it would even seem like the contest is one trick
to distract attention on the deteriorating conditions at the dive spot.
He noted that one of the factors that should be evaluated is the virtual
lack of garbage disposal facilities in most beach resorts most of which
simply empty their refuse into the sea.
At the same time, there are no regulations on the number of divers
allowed at a certain period of time and even more on the expertise of
the divers.
“In other places, there are regulations that restrict dive activities for
beginners into sensitive dive spots,” he pointed out.
Another factor that could confirm the anti-reclamation bias of the
contest is its apparent effort to preempt the projected environmental
study.
“As a professor wondered aloud, who is afraid of the environmental
study?” he asked.
Going even further, the resort owner wondered why the anti-
reclamation proponents cannot wait for the results of the study before
condemning the project.
“It appears that this is part of the concerted effort to demonize the
reclamation project,” he added.
If the reclamation project critics are really objective, he said the
proper tact for them is to wait for the study, listen to the results and
take their case to the people based on this.
At the same time, the resort owner said he is suspicious about the
silence of the critics on allegations that there are on-going violations
against environmental laws.
“If your only concern is environmental protection, you should start
going after present violations instead of fostering the deception that
only the reclamation project is capable of doing that,” he concluded.
