Thursday, July 03, 2008 Cayetano won’t meddle on EDC issue By Erwin Ambo Delilan
SENATOR Pia Cayetano said she won’t intervene with the decision of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental on the issue of geothermal exploration by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).
Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate committee on environment, will however call a Senate inquiry to clarify “contentious” issues surrounding the planned entry of EDC into the buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon.
The inquiry will give all concerned and interested parties a venue to present their respective cases with the end view of determining what is allowed by law in the best interest of the environment, community, and the country.
As to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government and EDC, Cayetano’s office told Sun.Star Bacolod that the senator won’t intervene on the said agreement and Governor Isidro Zayco is free to sign it.
“The senator respects the autonomy of local government unit (LGU), therefore it is her decision not to influence any decision of the governor and even of the Provincial Board of Negross Occidental on this matter,” a statement from Cayetano’s office added.
Zayco was firm in saying he will sign the MOA as soon as the Provincial Board forwards it to his office, stressing no one can sway his decision on the matter.
Besides, Zayco said that prior to the Provincial Board’s approval of the entry of EDC to the buffer zone and the drafting of the MOA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had already issued a permit to EDC for the cutting of trees within the 12.5 hectares of the buffer zone.
The MOA, said Zayco, contains certain conditions for EDC to comply during their exploration.
But Cayetano, in her letters to Paul Aquino, president and chief executive officer of EDC and DENR Secretary Lito Atienza, said she’s not aware yet of any subsequent law allowing EDC to conduct any geothermal exploration and development, much less expansion into the 169-hectare buffer zone, which is part of the strict protection zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
“Hence, I see no legal basis for the issuance of any kind of permit or signing of any kind of MOA, which will allow EDC to proceed with its expansion,” she added.
But the senator recognizes Section 5 of Republic Act 9154 (Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Law), which states an establishment of a buffer zone that will be an area for the exploration, development, and utilization of geothermal energy resources as well as other exploration activities.
Cayetano however cited that containing an area of 169 hectares, more or less, any geothermal exploration for or development of energy or mineral resources within the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park shall not be allowed except by an act of Congress.
She also asserted that permits for geothermal activities shall be pursuant to relevant forestry and environmental regulations.
The senator told both Aquino and Atienza that she supports any pursuit for alternative sources of energy as long as it will not be at the expense of the environment and in violation of existing laws.
