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LEGAZPI CITY: Only a few days after the Vatican included ecology
destruction as among the mortal sins, the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) in Albay seems determined to do away with a
major portion of Busay Falls in Daraga in favor of a national road
project.
Officials of the Catholic Church and local
tourism said they were not aware the Busay Falls was facing
destruction according to plans of the public works agency.
Mayor Ceciro Triunfante of Daraga town
said the DPWH Task Force have started work in Busay Falls since
February 21 and that he was under impression that the said
construction project had the blessings of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
He said the task force that handles projects of
Albay 2nd district is under Engr. Arnold Matamorosa and directly
attached to DPWH regional director Orlando Roces.
DENR Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales could
not be contacted for a comment but Che Madeloso of his staff said
she was not aware of any environmental compliance certificate for
construction work in Busay Falls. Madeloso maintained that the DENR
could not have allowed the destruction of Busay Falls.
Geologist Diosado Dizon of the DENR Mines Bureau
similarly denied any knowledge of such a permit, although it was
limited only to identifying hazards of the soil that was prone to
landslides.
Rev Fr. Ramon Segovience, director of the Albay
social action center was shocked to hear of the report and said he
would immediately ask for an investigation on the matter.
He said the destruction of Busay Falls should
not be allowed. “I can’t imagine a government agency doing
such,” said the AC director. He said the DPWH should have first
explored other alternatives before intruding into Busay Falls, a
kilometer away from the Cagsawa Ruins.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Salando of the St. Raphael
Church of Legazpi City said Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of
Legazpi was unaware of the Busay Falls issue as well. He said the
Bishop was among those who led in the protests against the operation
of the controversial Rapu-Rapu Lafayette Mines Inc.
DPWH Regional Director Orlando Roces could not
be contacted for comment. Assistant regional director Oscar
Cristobal said there were reports stating that no other alternatives
were available except to intrude into Busay Falls to block the new
water route that threatened the national highway.
The public works crew is using heavy equipment
such as the backhoe inside the waterfall to create a vacuum and
divert the flow of water towards Busay Bridge, some fifty meters
from the waterfalls.
But even dpwh insiders are divided on the issue
of the Busay Falls with some suggesting the installation of dikes on
the upper portion of the waterfalls to block the rerouted water,
saying it could work without affecting the waterfalls.
In raising the destruction of Busay Falls as a
serious concern, some residents warned that those involved in
causing damage to the waterfalls that is believe to be enchanted
would suffer some form of punishment or misfortune.
-- Manny T. Ugalde
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