Saturday, February 09, 2008 Tañon mammals 'score' in fight v. oil exploration
RESIDENT marine mammals of the Tañon Strait that have “gone to court” scored in their efforts to stop oil exploration activities in the protected seascape.
In an order dated Jan. 15, the Supreme Court (SC) directed respondents – both public and private officials – to comment on the petition that lawyers Gloria Ramos and Rose-Liza Osorio have filed.
Ramos and Osorio are suing on behalf of the mammals, being their “legal guardians.” They are also part of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-National Environment Action Team.
The court gave the respondents 10 days to give their comment.
Copy of comments
Ramos, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu last night, said the order is a “welcome development.”
She also said they want a copy of the comments of the government officials concerned as they will request the SC to set a hearing for an oral argument where they will present marine experts.
Also yesterday, officials of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (Japex) said they are convinced there is plenty of oil deposit in Tañon Strait.
Mineo Kinoshita, Japex president, issued this statement even as oil drilling results are yet to be released and if activities have indeed affected the marine life in the area, as environmentalists claimed.
During his visit to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Kinoshita said “there is a sign of oil accumulation.”
Kinoshita who visited Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday said the results of the oil drilling will be known in a few months.
Out of Pinamungajan
He also said that the drilling rig will be moved out from the coasts of Pinamungajan.
Kinoshita also reported that their operation was done without any damage to the environment, something which an official of the Department of Energy (DOE) supported.
Garcia welcomed Kinoshita’s report and said, “Those with dark predictions should admit they were wrong.”
Japex officials also said they conducted marine-mammal monitoring and water monitoring before the drilling, during the drilling and after the exploration to assess if ended their operation had adverse effects. (EOB/KNT)
