⬣ Developer Cebu Landmasters did not expect a large turnout
⬣ The public hearing venue could only hold at least 50 people
THE public hearing for the proposed conversion of the Xavier University- Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (Searsolin) campus yesterday was postponed after the proponents and those who opposed the project butted heads over the size of the venue and some environmental issues.
Lawyer Abas Lao of the Department of Environment of Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) adjourned the meeting and moved the date of the public hearing to October 17.
Earlier, members of the Concerned Parents, Teachers, Alumni, and Communities Against the Sale of the Xavier Campus (Coptac) opposed the venue of the public hearing at a local uptown restaurant in Upper Carmen that can only hold at least 50 persons.
Coptac members also complained that Cebu Landmasters, proponents to convert Searsolin into a multi-use complex, did not give them time to study the proposed Environment Impact Assessment (EIS).
“We need more time to review the EIS because many of us can not understand the technical jargon,” Ed Montalvan, a Coptac member said.
Lao agreed and directed property developer Cebu Landmaster to provide copies of the EIS to the Coptac members.
He also transferred the venue of the public hearing to the covered basketball court inside the Xavier University Searsolin on October 17.
“I agree with the observation of the Coptac members that the restaurant venue cannot be called a public hearing because of its limited capacity,” Lao said.
The Cebu Landmasters apologized for the venue saying they did not anticipate that the public hearing would attract many people.
The property developer said its last meeting on March 3, 2022, was conducted virtually because of the pandemic fears.
The Cebu Landmasters is presenting an EIS to pave the way for the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate from the DENR, a requirement so they can start their project.
The property developer has acquired 14.3 hectares of the Xavier University Searsolin Manresa property in uptown Cagayan de Oro, which it intends to develop as a mix-use “subdivision.”
Cagayan de Oro Councilor Roger Abaday, chair of the Committee on Environment said the City Council has already approved the application of the Cebu Landmaster subject to the issuance of an ECC from the DENR.