Dumaguete city: The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has granted permission to the Dumaguete City government to backfill an unfinished and excavated portion of the reclaimed area at the Pantawan People's Park. This development comes as a significant step for the city in handling the previously unauthorized reclamation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria shared with reporters that he received official communication from the PRA, allowing the city to proceed with the refilling of an excavated hole in the Barangay Tinago area. The PRA's decision was based on their classification of the site as still being a body of water, separate from the rest of Pantawan.

Mayor Sagarbarria emphasized the city's compliance with the PRA's authority, stating that any activity at Pantawan People's Park requires the PRA's permission due to an existing cease and desist order. This order was issued as a result of unauthorized reclamation activities conducted by the previous administration without the necessary permits from both the PRA and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The backfilled area was originally intended for the construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool for the ASEAN Schools Games. However, the games were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving the area undeveloped.

Mayor Sagarbarria noted that the PRA has allowed the city to continue using the park in its current state. However, the city is restricted from undertaking any new development until it fully complies with the necessary requirements and the land is formally titled.

The backfilling process has commenced without any financial burden on the city, as the necessary materials are sourced from local government supplies.