Militant group question $50B project in Zambales

IBA, Zambales: A militant group based in Central Luzon questioned the $50 billion development program proposed by an investor which seeks to built at least 3 resort complex in the province.

The project dubbed as “Zambales 2020 Vision” was questioned by the Kilisusan para sa Pambansang Demolrasya (KPD), an aliiance of progressive group promoting national democracy.

The group said that the project would only bring the province more dept and allow foreign control over the provinces patrimony.

“The project should be a cause for concern, not celebration,” said Aurora Broquil, who is KPD chairperson for Central Luzon.

“If ever, the Zambales 2020 Vision would just be a grand design to sell Zambales to foreigners and give them full control of the land, resources and potentials of the province,” Broquil warned.

Zambales Governor Amor Deloso lead the ground breaking of the $50 billion project last year.

Describing the project as “the biggest in the country,” Deloso said the $50-billion program would be implemented by Swiss Global Connect USA, said to be a group composed of American, Russian and Japanese investors.

Among the big-ticket tourism projects listed in the firm’s unsolicited proposal that was approved by Deloso were three resort complexes to be located on San Salvador island in Masinloc town, Mt. Tapulao in Iba, and an ocean-side location in Subic.

Swiss Global Connect also included in its 10-year development program the development of a landing strip in Iba into a domestic airport, the establishment of an agricultural research center, mineral exploration, and the development of an indigenous power supply using magnesium energy.

Broquil, however, noted that Deloso’s “2020 Vision” would simply rely on funds to be loaned out by foreign investors, thus exposing the province to great credit risks.

She added that this unfortunate situation happened because Deloso was desperate for foreign funding, and accepted Swiss Global Connect’s unsolicited proposal without investigating the proponent.

“As announced by Deloso and Rubina Zahid, the head of Swiss Global Connect, the projects would be funded through build, operate and transfer (BOT) or build, operate and own (BOO) schemes,” Broquil pointed out. “We are concerned about this because these schemes allow foreign companies to directly control the facilities of production, and even the land where the investments are located.”

At the same time, Broquil doubted whether the $50-billion fund would really materialize in face of the recent global economic crisis that has affected even development projects in Dubai.

“The 2020 Vision program is unrealistic, and if ever the project is realized, it would only make Zambales a heaven for foreigners and turn Zambaleños into squatters in their own land,” Broquil said.

“The 2020 Vision program is unrealistic, and if ever the project is realized, it would only make Zambales a heaven for foreigners and turn Zambaleños into squatters in their own land,” Broquil said.

Earlier Masinloc town mayor jessu edora said that he would like to see more doable project coming from the provincial government.

He also had an unsolicited advice for the Governor, “Stop dreaming and take realistic action.

An island in Barangay San Salvador inthis town was included in the project which is planned to be turned into a resort complex.