NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Friday the Southern Negros Industrial Estate (SNIE) in Hinobaan will push through and that an inter-agency conference was held to thresh out some issues.
Marañon pointed out it is the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that delays the project as its national office was not aware that its local office issued certificate of land ownership award for the land covered by the SNIE.
The governor said the area in Hinobaan could not be covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program because it is an industrial land.
“The local office of DAR is answerable for the conflict,” the governor said.
Some residents of Hinobaan with members of environmental group belonging to Save Hinobaan Movement are protesting the proposed 150-hectare SNIE in Barangay Bacuyangan.
They claimed that the proposed economic zone will reclassify the agriculture land to industrial that will host the multi-billion ship breaking and recycling industry owned by Japanese firm Tsuneishi Heavy Industries.
Marañon said the shipbuilding company would be a big help to the economy not only of Hinobaan but the entire province as well since it will generate jobs.
