Revilla seeks Senate probe on Cavite coastal project

BACOOR, Cavite – Responding to a public clamor, Senator Bong Revilla said yesterday that he will seek a Senate inquiry on the allegedly slow construction of the Cavite Coastal Road extension project in Bacoor Bay.
The senator said that in his capacity chairman of the Senate’s committee on public works, he will initiate a move to summon the executives of UEM-Mara Philippine Corp., the firm undertaking the project, to testify at the inquiry.He said he would like to find out if the company still has the financial capability to finish the project which also involves reclamation of a big portion of Bacoor Bay. "If the company cannot finish the project, it would be better that the government would take over it."The delay in the completion of the project adversely affects the livelihood of our fishermen," he said.The senator, who is a native of Bacoor, noted the fishermen’s complaint that during high tides, it is very difficult for them to navigate their boats when passing through a viaduct that serves as the gateway to the sea from the reclaimed road.The senator said he had received reports that until now, some of the families displaced by the reclamation are not yet paid the whole amount which was promised by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).Revilla said he would try to find out in the Senate probe if there is a suitable relocation site for the displaced families.The relocation program should include basic domestic needs such as electricity and water supply, he said.The senator assured the coastal residents of this town that he will exert efforts as chairman of the Senate committee on public works to ensure that they will be relocated at a livable area and compensated properly.However, he appealed to the affected families not to be misled, noting that the government’s objective in undertaking the project is to spur further progress not only to a single city or town but to the whole Cavite Province."The concern of the affected coastal residents is valid. They will be far from their place of livelihood. As a fellow Caviteño, among my concerns is to alleviate the plight of my kababayans. I will see to it that the government would not renege on its accountability to them," Revilla said.Meanwhile, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla, the senator’s brother, said that the municipal government has offered to take care of the right-of-way payment for the affected families."We already sent few months ago a formal letter to the DPWH expressing our intention to shoulder the payment for the right-of-way claims. Until now, we are waiting for their response," Mayor Revilla said.