A NONGOVERNMENT organization on Friday expressed strong opposition to a bill in Congress that would split up and reclassify the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) into residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

Saying that such move is “a grave threat to the country’s biodiversity,.” Jonathan Ronquillo, environment campaigner of the La Liga Policy Institute, scored Rep. Arthur Celeste of Pangasinan First District, author of House Bill 4995 that proposes to divide and declare one of the biggest islands within the HINP as alienable and disposable land.

Ronquillo explained that once approved, the bill will effectively supersede the 69-year-old Presidential Proclamation 667, which designates the Hundred Islands as a reservation site and protected area.

“The Hundred Islands was declared as a reservation for a reason. It is a wildlife sanctuary and breeding ground for a variety of marine species,” said Ronquillo, adding that the ecotourism benefits not only the local government and the communities but also the local and foreign tourists who are able to enjoy the white beaches, dive spots and caves.

He further said that the Hundred Islands National Park is part of a network of protected areas all over the country that help preserve the Philippines’ biodiversity.

“As it is, government is already providing very minimal support to the many protected areas in the country. The Celeste proposal to ‘chop-chop’ the Hundred Islands is a great disservice to the citizens of Alaminos City and Pangasinan and to the environment as well,” he said.

Ronquillo added that even the Local Government of Alaminos City and Executive Director Constancio Arciaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Ilocos Region do not agree with the Celeste bill.

Ronquillo noted that local government initiatives have resulted in increased tourist arrivals from 92,000 in 2004 to 200,000 in 2009, revival of marine life in the Hundred Islands and the entire Lingayen Gulf, and provision of alternative nondestructive livelihoods to fisherfolks, guides, boatmen and park rangers.

“We know that Mayor Hernani Braganza [of Alaminos] has worked hard to protect the Hundred Islands particularly in his successful programs to stop illegal fishing and to rehabilitate the marine ecosystem. We do not want all these positive developments to go to waste,” Ronquillo said.

He revealed that a first cousin of Celeste allegedly plans to build residential and commercial units in the Hundred Islands.

“We are eager to find out who are the intended beneficiaries of the Celeste bill,” said Ronquillo, adding. “We hope this bill is not meant to pander to the interests of the privileged few at the expense of communities and the environment.”

La Liga Policy Institute is the secretariat of the Alternative Budget Initiative on the Environment, which represents individuals and institutional advocates for public financing for the environment and climate change. Its advocacy includes increased government support for protected areas.