Two internationally renowned scientists gave their expert insights in a recently concluded forum on the Dumaguete Reclamation Extension Project organized by the Diocese of Dumaguete.
Dr. Ben Malayang III, former president of Silliman University and former Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary, who was one of the speakers during the forum as an environmental policy and governance expert, pointed out that “any ‘shoreline modification’ has both good, bad, and ugly effects and these effects should be recognized.”
For projects such as the shoreline modification, Malayang said people and leaders may seek to achieve certain effects which they consider to be “good” and could be “justified as legal,” but what is good and what is legal may be conflicting.
“Only if all effects (good, bad, ugly) across all concerns (economy, ecology, socio-cultural) are accounted for and weighed against each other, and the weighing is made the basis of policy decisions, that modifying a shoreline may be deemed both legally and morally legitimate,” added Malayang.
Moreover, Malayang said: “To be just, proper, and both politically and morally legitimate — which, I confidently assume, is the constant intent of government — any decision on shoreline modification must be unquestionably legal and moral. Neither one must be compromised nor contrived.”
For his part, US-based environmental geologist and Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee Moses Alcala admits that, while he believes in urban development, he also “believes in science.”
“It is important for the government to always consider science when implementing construction and development projects,” said Alcala, who was also one of the resource persons during the forum.
He explained that the geologic processes happening along the coastline of Rizal Boulevard and at the mouth of the Banica River are being disrupted by the ongoing reclamation project, which may lead to the buildup of the sandbar at the mouth of Banica River.
Alcala, who continues to be involved in sharing his expertise in environmental geology and conservation to Dumagueteños, said the river naturally carries sediments like sand, silt, and clay and deposits such sediments at the mouth of the river where it meets the ocean, forming a sandbar.
He further explained that the movement of sands and the sandbar, with its associated sand material, is affected by complex dynamics involving wave action, “habagat” and “amihan” winds, longshore currents, and river flow.
The US-based geologist further said: “If reclamation extends southward toward the mouth of Banica River, then there is a possibility that the natural movement of the sands can be blocked by the extended reclaimed area, and such blockage at the river may cause more sedimentation along the bottom of the river and flooding, which would affect the residential areas along the river banks.”
Dr. Betty C. McCann, president of Silliman University, intoned: “The experts have spoken and a comprehensive framework for project assessment has been offered in that forum. May the sciences, both natural and social, inform all actions related to the proposed shoreline modification project.”
Silliman University, popularly referred to as the campus by the sea, has always been committed to the prevention of environmental pollution, conservation, and enhancement of natural resources and sustainability, as defined in the Environmental Principles, Policies, Guidelines, and Best Practices that the SU Board of Trustees has adopted in full, where Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo sits as a member representing the alumni.
Meanwhile, the Silliman University Medical Center Heart Institute has paved the way to do minimally invasive, minor to moderate cardiovascular procedures to improve its service to the community.
A groundbreaking cardiac procedure, the first of its kind in the province, was performed last week at the SUMC Operating Room. This was made possible with the upgraded team of the Heart Institute with the addition of cardiovascular specialists who performed the procedure.
Dr. Erwyn Novilla, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon who had his training both in Singapore and the Philippine Heart Center, was the primary doctor who performed the procedure. Dr. Novilla garnered third place in the physicians licensure exam during his time.
Dr. Neil Vincent Sanico, also a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon having received his training from the Philippine Heart Center, ably assisted Dr. Novilla.
Dr. Mitzi Chio, a board-certified specialist who practices adult cardiology and interventional cardiology, assisted with the procedure. She completed her training at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Heart Institute in Quezon City. Dr. Chio specializes in inserting cardiac catheters, coronary angiograms, and angioplasty. SUMC Heart Institute will offer all these services once the Cath Lab is in full swing.
With the upgraded team of cardiovascular specialists, the current capability of the SUMC Heart Institute includes carotid endarterectomy, vascular access procedures, interventions for chronic venous insufficiency: vein stripping and phlebectomy, interventions for peripheral artery disease: thrombectomy/embolectomy, endarterectomy/ anatomic and extra-anatomic bypass, and elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Director of the SUMC Heart Institute is Dr. Susan Micaela Denura. Roberto Montebon is president/administrator of the SUMC with Dr. Verna Reyes as vice-president for medical services. – NWI
