MALITA, Davao Occidental — The provincial government of Davao Occidental chided a Hong Kong-based firm eyeing to develop the USD24-billion Marina and Industrial Park project in this town for misleading its clients into believing that the site has legal and land use plan inconsistencies.
The firm, Pionaire Finance Limited, had scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony on October 27 but later announced the termination of the project through its executive assistant Maydeeh Libago in a press conference at the Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City on Friday.
Libago alleged that legal and land use plan inconsistences triggered the project cancellation.
But Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, through his lawyer Atty. Caesar Europa, was surprised that Pionaire had scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony without the knowledge of the provincial government.
Europa told reporters in a press conference Saturday afternoon that the governor finds it strange that Pionaire was pushing with the groundbreaking when the conversion of the land from agricultural to industrial is still being worked out.
Europa pointed out that the planned industrial park has the pre-qualification approval of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
“Hindi naman siguro kami aabot ng ganun kung walang prior qualification (We could have not reach such if we have no prior qualification),” Europa said.
Europa said the documents for the land conversion were submitted to the national government. He said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has the authority to approve the land conversion.
“Di puwede ang (It is not allowed) groundbreaking because a single shovel of land for other purposes would be illegal,” Europa said.
Until all the requirements for land conversion are met, the province cannot start the development of the land into an industrial park.
The USD24-billion Marina and Industrial park project in Malita, Davao Occidental will compose of a 1,200 megawatt (MW) liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle power plant, chemical industrial park, water-generation manufacturing facility, LPG & Storage Terminal, 20 million metric tons refinery, Petrochemical Complex, and a storage facility together with an associated Terminal and International Port and Cargo Terminal.
Before Friday’s announcement of Pionaire, the provincial government already cut ties with the firm by terminating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered between the provincial government and Pionaire on August 2, 2017.
“Let me clear a few things. The province has terminated relationship with Pionaire for several reasons,” Europa said.
Europa said the province sent the notice terminating the MOU to Pionaire on October 25.
In an irrevocable notice sent to Pionaire with office address in Hong Kong and the Israel-based Watergen firm, Gov. Bautista stated that the province has no more interest to pursue a definite agreement and/or incorporate a joint venture with Watergen and Pionaire.
Bautista asked both firms to desist from making unauthorized or warrantless representations for and on behalf of the province.
Europa said information reaching the governor said Pionaire was reportedly collecting huge fees for accreditation from would-be contractors of the industrial park.
He added that Pionaire was also using the province to make it appear that it has the support of the governor by using the province’s design of the industrial park.
Given the information, Europa said the province conducted its own background of Pionaire that led to the termination of the MoU.
Europa clarified that long before Pionaire, the province was already working to make an industrial park.
Asked about legal consequence for terminating the MoU, Europa said there is no implication because a MoU has no hard agreement details, stressing that the province is ready if Pionaire questions it.
The provincial government is also ready to help the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in its investigation against Pionaire.
Europa also said the governor assured aid for people who have paid accreditation fees to Pionaire and later on filed complaints against the latter before the NBI.
Given this development, Europa said the province would pursue the project after it gets the go signal from the national government, noting that the province would continue to entertain investors interested in the project. (PNA)
