THE Negros Environmental Watch (NEW) Coalition has reaffirmed its rejection to various projects in Negros Island that are "destructive" to the environment.
The group, in a position paper in line with the recent Earth Day commemoration, said developmental aggression continues to degrade the Negros Island environment and its critical ecosystems.
It said such environmentally "critical and destructive" projects like the geothermal project in Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), illegal structures in Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP), the proposed coal-fired power plant in San Carlos City, and black sand mining in coastal areas persist and these endanger the biodiversity and communities.
The NEW Coalition is composed of non-government organizations (NGOs) and peoples organization (POs) in Negros Occidental.
"As the world celebrates Earth Day, we renew our commitment to conserve, protect and restore the environment and natural resources of the province," it said.
The coalition is calling on the government, the Department of Environment and Naturak Resources (DENR) and other concerned agencies and local government units to stop and demolish all illegal structures inside the NNNP, and stop the operations of a power firm at thr MKNP and hold it accountable for the alleged destruction of areas within the natural park and other violations.
It urged the government to stop black sand mining in E.B. Magalona, and expressed resistance to ship recycling and large-scale exploitation of southern coastal areas by the South Negros Industrial Estate.
Also, the coalition called on to reject any proposed coal-fired power plant in the Negros Island.
"The people of Negros Occidental deserve a healthy and livable environment. No more and no less," it stressed.
The New Coalition said it has been in the forefront of rejecting the proposed environmentally destructive projects.
On the proliferation of illegal structures inside the NNNP and the continued existence of an energy firm at the MKNP "are proven facts that we have shameless, corrupt officials."
The black sand or magnetite mining operations will wreak havoc on the foreshores of E.B. Magalona and the rest of coastal areas in the country, it said.
While the proposed ship recycling industry in South Negros has been suspended, the coalition claimed that the coastal areas there, specifically the rich fishing grounds, mature mangrove, seagrass and corral areas remain under threat.
The position paper further stated that Negros Occidental has gained recognition for its declaration as an organic agriculture province and known as the Organic Bowl of Asia.
Negros Occidental is also known to be the renewable energy center of the Philippines with the support of the Executive Order No.19-8 that banned any coal-fired power plant in the island.
"However, Negros Occidental and Negrenses are still struggling to protect this prestigious crown because of the threat to cater the proposed coal-fired power plant of San Miguel Corporation in San Carlos City," it added.
Moreover, the coalition said humans have been endowed with the power of stewardship over the earth and its natural resources for survival and day to day living.
But such freedom comes with the responsibility of preserving and protecting the earth's capacity to sustain the healthful existence of a growing human population, it said.
Citing the data from the United Nation Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the coalition said an estimated span of 10 years is what humanity has left to save the earth.
"The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), using data gathered in 91 countries says that, as biodiversity declines our food production is affected and places the future of our food system under severe threat," it added.