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By Ma. Ester L. Espina, Correspondent
BACOLOD CITY: The forum between the proponents
as well as those opposed to the geothermal development expansion of
the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC)
at the buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon National Park remained at a
standoff after the five-hour dialog led by the Department of Energy
at L’Fisher Hotel on Monday.All indications point to allowing PNOC
to enter the buffer zone for geothermal expansion development with
or without the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s concurrence, where a
request has been pending the last two months because of the strong
opposition backed by the Catholic Church.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said while he
empathized with the environmental groups’ opposition, stressing he
is an “environmental advocate,“ there is a law in place that
allows PNOC to legally enter the buffer zone and source additional
geothermal energy.
Reyes, who spearheaded the dialog after
suggesting such to Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, said he was
satisfied that all sides were being given an opportunity to present
their case.
The decent thing to do was to exhaust all
efforts to ensure that the decision is highly desirable to
everybody, Reyes said, but he also stressed that, “there is a law
and in the end, we do what has to be done and abide with the law.”
Reyes was alluding to the law creating the
buffer zone that allows PNOC to conduct geothermal exploration. The
matter of seeking the provincial council’s approval where it is
currently pending was merely a courtesy granted to the host
province.
While not categorically stating that he is for
the entry of PNOC, the fact that he stressed on the existence of the
law that should be respected is indication that PNOC faces no legal
impediment in entering and operating within the buffer zone.
Reyes appealed to everyone to “rally around”
when a decision is made and hopes that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
will “decide for the common good of the people.”
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco
said he would support whatever decision made by the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan. He simply appealed to PNOC to prioritize Negros for
their power supply, make the electric rates “reasonable,” and
“meticulously observe the environmental concerns.”
Bishop Navarra and the opposition, however,
remained firm on their stand that the issue is non-negotiable, this
despite the assurance of PNOC that they will replant, if need be, 20
trees for every one tree they cut down.
This did not allay the fears of the
environmental groups, however, who claim that the entry of PNOC will
do irreparable damage to the remaining forest reserve in Negros
Occidental.
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