Church people are opposing the planned Alpha-Palawig Mixed-Use Development Project in Sta Ana, Cagayan which is set to destroy the 21-hectare mangrove along the coast of Palawig to Sta. Cruz. The groups include the Conference of Major Superiors of the Philippines (CMSP) which submitted a petition of opposition on February 18 during a public hearing held in the province regarding the project.

Aside from CMSP, representatives from Saint Anthony of Padia Parish, Saint Anthony’s College, Franciscan Apostolic Sisters, and other institutions also expressed opposition to the project. Representatives from other affected sectors also attended the public hearing.

They opposed the permit granted to the Alpha-Palawig Cagayan Development Corporation on the grounds that (1) it will destroy the coastal ecosystem and crucial mangroves within barangay Palawig and Sta Cruz; (2) it will flood schools, homes, and rice fields because it will block the natural waterway for floodwaters towards the sea, as the barangays of Parada-Batu, Palawig, and Sta Cruz serve as drainage for water from the rivers coming from Sierra Madre; and (3) it will destroy the livelihood of local fisherfolk and deprive them of docking areas for their boats.

CMSP insisted that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should reconsider the granting of the permit, saying it should assume collective responsibility to protect nature and vulnerable populations.

The plan is to build an additional 25 units of offices, housing, and other facilities in the area for recreational and entertainment activities. Four units are already built there at present.

The Alpha-Palawig Mixed-Use Development Project is part of the projects being pushed by the private sector of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) which was started under the former CEZA administrator Raul Lambino. The said project will serve as the center of CEZA for “offshore financial technology solutions enterprises and offshore virtual currency exchanges.”

Also looms is the construction of a 15-hectare commercial center in Rapuli (barangays of Racat-Punta-Limbus) after its feasibility was studied under Lambino. It can be recalled that in 2019, houses in Barangay Racat were violently demolished and residents who resisted the illegal demolition were detained.