Lawyers advise Salcon they’ll sue over dumping of coal ash in Naga

THERE is not much hope for the various Balili investigations to prosper, said an environmentalist-lawyer.

This is why Atty. Benjamin Cabrido said he and his colleagues will wait until the election dust settles before taking further action on the Provincial Government’s nearly P98-million purchase.

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In the meantime, Cabrido and fellow environmentalist-lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos sent a “notice to sue” to Salcon Power Corp. (SPC). The move came days after a complaint about the allegedly indiscriminate dumping of coal ash in Barangay Tangke.

The City of Naga has sent a letter asking SPC to explain. In an interview, a Salcon official said precautions were taken, like keeping the coal ash damp, to keep it from causing any health problems. He also said the dumping is temporary.

Cabrido fears that when the Kepco-SPC (KSPC) plant becomes operational, more coal ash will be dumped. Initially, ash was dumped in the Balili property in Tinaan, Naga, but a memorandum of agreement between Kepco and Capitol was amended so that Kepco will have to get an environmental compliance certificate before it can dump ash in the property.

“The current administration has the propensity to coddle officials who are supporters,” said Cabrido, on why he will wait until after the elections. Cabrido clarified, though, that he is referring to the national administration rather than the local one.

Change

A new president and the corresponding changes in how the administration works, he said, may lead to officials possibly linked to the Balili controversy being made to answer.

Capitol bought the P98 million-Balili property, which it planned to develop into an economic zone. However, it was la-ter found that some parts were submer-ged or covered by mangroves.

The executive department formed a panel headed by National Bureau of Investigation 7 Director Medardo de Lemos to investigate the purchase. The Cebu Provincial Board is also doing an inquiry on the same issue, for corrective legislation.

Both departments have yet to release results of the investigation. The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas also has yet to release its investigation results.

Worry

Cabrido and Ramos are offering support to fishers who may lose their means of livelihood when oil exploration in the town of Borbon starts.

Agapito Bayno, 55, lamented that his daughter Irish graduated with an education degree through what he makes as a fisherman.

His wife Belarme sells the fish that he catches in the market.

Another daughter, Daisy, will be graduating next year.

“We understand that the proposed oil exploration will bring economic development to the municipality. But that will only be for the rich. How about the poor people like me? Fishing is our only means of livelihood,” said Bayno in Cebuano.

“We cannot sacrifice our sea treasures just because of economic development. We also need to protect the environment,” said Alfredo Cominguez Jr., president of the Borbon Alliance of Fisherfolks’ Association.

Borbon Mayor Bernard Sepulveda heard the pleas of the fishermen and Cominguez said the mayor has scheduled a public hearing on Monday.

Sun.Star Cebu tried calling Sepulveda in his office yesterday to ask about the public hearing but his staff said he was attending recognition rites.