The amended case and TRO filed last July 31, Thursday, by the volunteer counsels of Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition, Atty. Andrea Si and Atty. Andres Hagad, did not stop the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) of the Lopezes from cutting down trees in the buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), Negros Occidental.
As of July 28, 2008, 576 trees were reportedly cut down by EDC in just one week based on the account of Delia Locsin of the coalition. The geothermal development project will cover 169 hectares of the buffer zone of MKNP, the constitutionality of which is the main contention of the pending case. 4,213 trees marked by EDC to be chopped.
During the "Save 4,213 Trees in Mt. Kanlaon!" press conference held at the Urban Café, ACL Suites, 13th Avenue in Quezon City last Monday, Aug. 4, Don Flordeliza, Jr. of Green Watch Philippines, Inc. said that an average of 500 trees will be cut weekly leaving the supporters of Save Mt. Kanlaon in grave urgency to have the amended TRO approved. If the court decision will take more than one month, the buffer zone will be almost 80% denuded, Flordeliza pointed out. Flordeliza also heads Task Force Kanlaon, an agrupation of Manila-based organizations supporting the Negros Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition.
YEARS AND YEARS OF EXPLORATION
Then a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the PNOC, EDC started its exploration for sources of geothermal energy in the MKNP in 1987.
Instead of the targeted 40 megawatt geothermal power needed to justify for further search of the alternative energy, PNOC only acquired around 4-5 megawatts in MKNP spending a staggering P8 billion of taxpayers money based on a report by the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Negros (FDC). The expenses of PNOC-EDC are part of the $82 billion or nearly P4 trillion national debt that Filipinos have to pay, FDC-Negros said. Though Mt. Kanlaon is a volcano, the group noted that up until now the exploration still continues even without plausible proof that there is sufficient geothermal power in the area to supply the Negros island.
Based on the website of EDC by the Lopez-owned First General Corp., the corporation borrowed $68.5 million from Japan Bank for International Cooperation to purchase PNOC. The FDC-Negros report revealed that EDC is working out several foreign and local loans to buy-out other GOCC power utilities.
EFFECTS OF THE EXPLORATION
During the first press conference organized by Green Watch Philippines last August 4, 2008, farmer-supporters of the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition expressed their sentiments of the possible consequences should the cutting down of trees in the buffer zone persists.
Enrique Tayo, a farmer from Negros, mentioned via video-conferencing that they are now experiencing massive flash floods and erosions. Some Negrense farmers in the Mt. Kanlaon area are resorting to the use of chemicals in the farming process since output production is low through organic farming. Tayo explained that a well-heeled irrigation system normally aids organic farming, however, without the trees there would be major irrigation issues. “There are only a few trees left holding the earth in MKNP tapos puputulin pa,” he added.
Mara Pardo de Tavera, a Task Force Kanlaon volunteer and the President of the Organic Producers and Traders Association (OPTA) proposed to have the people living near MKNP tested by doctors to check for signs of health problems related to the geothermal exploration. Arsenic poisoning is usually associated in this type of energy exploration.
"We are now starting to feel the rebound of this EDC crime. We challenge the Lopezes, who by the way are also Ilonggos, and EDC officials who decided on this project, to actually live in the area so they can have a first-hand experience of all the effects of this so-called geothermal exploration," a member of Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition denounced.
CALL FOR SENATE INQUIRY
Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, wrote to Mr. Paul Aquino, EDC President and Chief Executive Officer, concerning the exploration and development of the buffer zone pointing that "any geothermal exploration for or development of energy or mineral resources within MKNP shall not be allowed except by an Act of Congress."
The letter made a reference to RA 7586 or the National Integrated Area System Act (NIPAS Act) that buffer zones are "included in the individual protected area management plan that shall be prepared for each protected area to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area."
Senator Cayetano requested for the postponement of the exploration in the buffer zone until environmental issues and concerns can be answered.
A senate inquiry will be requested by Sen. Cayetano on the Mt. Kanlaon issue.
NEGRENSES UNITE
The Catholic Lay Forum, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement-Negros (PRRM), Freedom from Debt Coalition-Negros (FDC), LEAD Negros, DAWN, Soldiers of Ecology, students of St. Scholastica, form the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition. Green Alert, among other supporters showed active and potent support to save the buffer zone of MKNP.
A campaign of wearing yellow ribbons in wrists and outfits, dressing up cars with yellow ribbons, and tying yellow ribbons around trees to show support to save the trees in Mt. Kanlaon is being eagerly supported by Negrenses, especially in Bacolod. Green Watch Philippines launched the “Tie a Yellow Ribbon to Save 4,213 Trees in Mt. Kanlaon!” campaign during a press conference with Bishop Vicente Navarra in Bacolod City last July 20, where it expressed its unwavering solidarity and support to the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition’s cause.
Circulation of signature sheets in churches and parishes, schools, and activity centers are being carried out by the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition to engage the whole of Negros in this plight to save Mt. Kanlaon, Locsin added.
College students from Grupong Espading composed of visual artists, musicians, and local bands are holding support through campaigns for the environment in different schools and universities, mall tours, and various productions. An art exhibit on August 18 at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) will be held with the theme of the effects of environmental degradation in Negros.
PERHAPS THERE IS MORE TO THIS GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
A resident living near MKNP said that tremors and earth shakes are felt
almost every night by the community. This geothermal exploration can turn out not just a logging operation but might be a mining exploration as well, he added.
