Groups protest coastal road project in Dumaguete City

Category : AGRI-NEWS | Sub Category : NATIONAL Posted on 2025-06-03 07:47:43

PNA

DUMAGUETE CITY – Residents of Barangay Bantayan here, joined by various groups, are calling for the halting of a coastal road expansion in this capital city of Negros Oriental, citing possible negative impacts on the marine environment, the fishing community and other stakeholders.

Gary Rosales, president and co-founder of the environmental advocacy group Kahugpungan para sa Kinabuhi ug Kinaiyahan, Inc. (Kinaiyahan), told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Monday that a signature campaign is ongoing against the project.

“The coastal road expansion project will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will stretch several kilometers of shoreline from Barangay Banilad to Silliman Beach in Barangay Bantayan here,” Rosales said.

One of the major concerns of the groups is the looming destruction of Silliman Beach, touted as the last public beach in this city.

The DPWH-Region 7 (Central Visayas) recently conducted a public consultation in Barangay Bantayan but Rosales said they were not provided a copy of the project brief, although it was presented to them.

“During the consultation, residents and barangay officials were unanimous in saying that we (must) reject the project that will destroy Silliman Beach,” Rosales said.

The signature campaign and the petition of Barangay Bantayan residents and officials on the website https://chng.it/hFC6ws4HVn cited some reasons such as Silliman Beach being a vital source of sustenance and livelihood of the local fishing community; its integral part in the city’s cultural and social heritage; destruction of marine life and the ecosystem; and its academic importance, located near the Silliman University's marine laboratory.

The petition also urges the city and national governments to take action, such as not giving a Letter of No Objection to the DPWH-7; ensuring the long-term protection and preservation of Silliman Beach; and promoting sustainable and inclusive development strategies that respect ecological boundaries.

The petitioners are calling for comprehensive public consultations and environmental impact assessments.