MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/01 October 2024) Folks who attended three public hearings in October 2023 for the proposed 65-kilometer high standard highway connecting Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay expressed environmental, social, and infrastructural issues about the project that need to be addressed to ensure it proceeds smoothly, a report said.
The Environmental Impact Assessment statement of the project, released in May 2024 reported that various issues were raised in the public hearings conducted in Cagayan de Oro and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Sumilao and Malaybalay City; and Manolo Fortich and Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on October 11 to 13, 2023.
The project
The Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank have been reported to be possible sources of funds for the proposed project. Based on announcements by the Department of Public Works and Highways, the proposed project, described as a High Standard Highway to connect Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay City will improve the transport efficiency between the two cities and will traverse 28 barangays of four municipalities. The construction is slated in 2027.
Of the total 65-kilometer highway project, the civil works for Section 1 which is 11 kilometers long will be funded by JICA while civil works for Sections 2-5 which is 54 kilometers in length will be funded by ADB,” the DPWH report said. The project is considered to be one of the priority projects of the national government as mutually agreed during the 14th Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held in August 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.
In May 2024, the DPWH has already created the steering committee and technical working group for the detailed engineering design of the project.
MisOr public hearing
In the Cagayan de Oro and Tagoloan public hearing on October 11, 2023, five key issues were raised and responded to by proponents. One was on Traffic and Environmental Impact specifically concerns over how road alignment might worsen traffic in Tagoloan, increase flooding, and trigger landslides in Brgy. Bugo, CDO. Another issue raised was on flood and landslide mitigation, land acquisition and compensation, design and safety concerns with suggestions to improve highway design by including green spaces, avoid zigzag structures, and ensure it is compatible with the Metro Rail Project. Another issue raised was on drainage and quarrying monitoring, where it was recommended to consider climate projections and rainfall data in drainage planning and monitoring the sand and gravel quarrying activities to protect rivers.
The report cited 61 participants attending the hearing held in the Congressional office, Balay Ninotchka, Tagoloan town.
Sumilao/Malaybalay public hearing
In the Sumilao and Malaybalay City leg of the public hearing held in Sumilao town, the following four key issues were raised; road alignment and compensation, indigenous peoples’ concerns, safety and toll fees, and environmental monitoring.
Attendees raised concerns about the road alignment affecting barangays, schools, and compensation for untitled lands and landowners, issues raised regarding lump-sum payments to IPs, cultural rituals before project activities, and disputes over land claims, concerns about the safety features of the highway, such as emergency areas, and potential toll fees for road usage, and observations about environmental damage caused by other infrastructure projects and the need for better monitoring of rivers.
MF and Impasug-ong public hearing
Four key issues were also raised in the Manolo Fortich and Impasug-ong public hearings, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed project released in May 2024. The issues include road alignment and relocation, compensation for indigenous peoples, land ownership and documentation, and unpaid land owners.
Specifically, attendees raised issues on how road alignment affects specific barangays and houses, and the design for relocation sites for displaced people, concerns regarding compensation for land and crops affected, particularly for Ips, requests for clarification on land ownership status, compensation standards, and necessary documents, and unresolved cases where landowners were not compensated for lands used in previous projects, such as bridge construction.
Proponent responses
The DPWH responded during the public hearing that on traffic congestion, the selected alignment is designed to be the most economical and to help relieve traffic congestion in the area. They also acknowledged to include planting strips for green spaces, subject to inclusion in the current design.
They said the issue of flooding and landslides can be addressed during the detailed engineering design, where natural drainage systems will be studied. A hydrologist will be involved, they added, and coordinate with Local Government Units (LGUs) to gather necessary secondary data. On cultural and safety rituals, they acknowledged that Indigenous Peoples’ rituals should be conducted in every barangay to ensure protection during construction and prevent accidents. Proponents assured that construction will not commence until land acquisition is completed, and landowners have received payment.
They said this process will follow Republic Act 10752 (Right-of-Way Acquisition Act), ensuring fair assessment of affected properties through a neutral, third-party appraiser. They also underscored the role played by the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT) in monitoring and complaint handling.
“The MMT will represent various stakeholders and conduct quarterly monitoring. Complaints can be lodged with the MMT, which will address them during monitoring,” the report quoted.
BusinessWorld reported in May 2024 that, for 2027, the ADB hopes to co-finance with the Japan International Cooperation Agency a 65-kilometer highway linking Cagayan de Oro City to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
“The proposed Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Project is expected to improve connectivity and economic growth between northern and central Mindanao,” the report quoted. A PhilStar report cited that the DPWH and ADB have pursued discussions about the proposed project, among others, to fund the detailed engineering design and construction of the project in 2027.
If completed, the DPWH said, the high-impact project will serve as an important link to connect agricultural products from the large plantations to the local markets and to the gateway ports in Cagayan de Oro City.
The new highway will be accessible through Butuan-Cagayan de Oro- Iligan Road from the north and Sayre Highway from the south. DPWH said the project will have four lanes, a 60-meter road right of way with five interchanges constructed near urban centers.
According to DPWH, just like in other large and complex projects that require comprehensive and high-standard engineering works, JICA consultants who have technical capacity and extensive experience in the design of high-pier and long-span bridges will help DPWH in the project.
Among the requirements for infrastructure projects is the Environmental Compliance Certificate, specifically the environment impact assessment. (BukidnonNews.Net)
