CEBU CITY – Heritage preservation and protecting natural resources are a top priority in Tagbilaran City, the capital of the province of Bohol.
YAP (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
Tagbilaran Mayor Jane Yap pointed this out amid the controversy surrounding the construction of a resort within the Chocolate Hills area in the province.
Although Tagbilaran is not a part of Bohol recognized as United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Global Geoparks, Yap said the city is strict when it comes to protecting natural resources and areas with heritage value.
“In Tagbilaran, we truly give a premium to our natural resources. In fact, in our partnership with the Archdiocese of Tagbilaran, Bishop Abet Uy emphasized that whatever development that we have, even if there are economic gains, there should be spiritual and moral actions behind it,” Yap said.
Natural resources are “God’s gift” and they should be protected, Yap said.
“We have learned that in many, many countries, they have abundant resources but they abused it. Developments were not properly implemented and they ended up losing their natural resources. Would we wait for something like that to happen in Tagbilaran? Or in Bohol?” said Yap.
Yap said Tagbilaran is strictly implementing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which
guides the city when it comes to commercial development.
“Through the CLUP, investors will know the areas where development is allowed or not. There are areas in Tagbilaran that have been declared as heritage areas. If something will be constructed there, it should not be modern. It should maintain a heritage-look to adapt to the appearance of the area,” said Yap.
Yap also thanked the private sector for supporting the province in its pursuit to protect its natural resources.
The public was encouraged to be more active when it comes to achieving the local government’s advocacy for environmental protection.
“I emphasized our consultative and participative style of governance. We should not be afraid to voice out because that will help improve the way we run the city. In fact, we encourage you to speak up, to let us know where you want our city government to direct our funds because it is through helping each other that we can achieve progress,” said Yap.
“If there’s a proposal from the private sector, you should speak up if this is something that we want for our city or if this is something that we are not ready yet,” the mayor added.
Yap assured that the city will listen to the sentiment of the constituents.
The mayor disclosed that the city has even turned down a recent proposal of a private sector for a reclamation project after it was opposed by the people of Tagbilaran.
“So I told the private sector which made the proposal that our city is not ready for this yet and I stand behind the people of Tagbilaran. Whatever development, if it will not be accepted by the Tagbilaranons, we will listen to them,” said Yap.