THE Group of Environmental Socialists (Goes) and Door Steps to New Life Foundation (Door Steps) have questioned the decision of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to allow the road projects in Calatrava, Cadiz City and Barangay Patag in Silay City.
For the two groups, these projects are within the protected area of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
The Goes and Door Steps, in a joint statement, said they are closely monitoring the projects knowing that there's already an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) that has been issued by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) on February 24.
"Its issuance is a clear violation of the rules and procedures on issuing ECC," the groups said, adding that "the decision of PAMB is oppression."
The Goes and Door Steps further claimed that the PAMB decided on allowing these road projects without respecting the existing laws that govern natural parks.
They are also calling on the Board to explain why it approved the creation of Patag Management Development Council (PMDC) and forgot to sanction the 36 establishments illegally operating there.
Though there's already a cease and desist order (CDO), there should be a resolution as to what is the next concrete plan whether to demolish these establishments or just "legalize" them, Goes President Randy James Rojo said.
"We are hoping that what the PAMB is organizing will not be their means in justifying the act of legalizing the illegal inside the NNNP," the statement said, adding that "no one is above the law."
The groups are calling on Negrenses to unite in protecting the remaining forest and watershed.
"These ugly truths need to be exposed, that our corrupt and inept government officials are conniving in killing our forest," they said, adding that "we need to seek justice in protecting our natural parks by upholding our constitutional rights to a balanced and healthful ecology."
SunStar Bacolod has yet to reach the PAMB for comment.