Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Lipa archbishop bucks plan to build resort in Taal (3:58 p.m.)
MANILA -- Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has objected to a plan of foreign investors to put up resort spa in Taal Volcano.
“The (Catholic) Church in Lipa appeals to the government to respect Taal Volcano Island as a national sanctuary and a unique treasure,” Arguelles said.
“It must be open to all when safe and never used for profit ventures, especially by foreigners,” he added.
At the Senate, Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano said the brewing row over the planned construction of a spa resort on Taal Volcano Island comes down to one basic question - How come private individuals were able to obtain land titles to the volcano, which is supposedly part of the public domain?”
Arguelles, for his part, said while the P72 million project would help boost the local economy, allowing it however would cause ecological damage.
Like Arguelles, Batangas Governor-elect Vilma Santos is also against the project. She said in a television interview that the pros and cons of the project should have been discussed before it was issued a permit.
She opposed the project primarily because of the environmental damage it would cause on the volcano island. (Sunnex) |
