Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. yesterday confirmed having authorized the DENR regional director for Western Visayas to process the application of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. for a Special Tree Cutting Permit in the 169-hectare buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park in Bago City.

Atienza, in a memorandum dated Feb. 20, directed the regional director Lormelyn Claudio to process the Special Tree Cutting Permit of PNOC-EDC. He cited the merit of the request in terms of the production of significant geothermal energy that is considered as a better alternative to fossil fuel based power source, and pursuant to existing forestry and environmental regulations.

Atienza, however, told the DAILY STAR in a telephone interview that this will be subject to certain terms and conditions.

The PNOC-EDC has been seeking the concurrence of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan to its entry into the buffer zone in Bago City. The purpose is to tap more geothermal energy for its Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant that, so far, only produces about 5 megawatts from an earlier projection of 49 megawatts.

The Diocese of Bacolod and some environmentalists are opposing the PNOC-EDC entry into the buffer zone saying it would destroy an important biodiversity-rich area.

The Negros Occidental SP sought the opinion of the DENR on the matter and, on Wednesday, was sent a copy of a memorandum issued by Atienza on Feb. 20 by the DENR Undersecretary for Staff Bureaus.

In his memorandum, Atienza said  the request of PNOC-EDC for a Special Tree Cutting Permit has been reviewed carefully by the DENR, particularly its Forest Management Bureau and the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

While it is recognized that this is an important energy project being pursued by the Philippine government, the site is also considered an important biodiversity-rich area as seen from the inventory results and as a declared buffer zone of MKNP, he said.

However, careful evaluation of the Environmental Management Plan  prepared by PNOC indicate  adequacy and sustainability of mitigating measures  for the impact of developments  to the flora and fauna of the buffer zone of MKNP, Atienza added..

In addition to existing environmental and MKNP laws and regulations, Atienza said that the following conditions shall be highlighted in the permit:

*The cutting operation shall at all times be under the direct supervision of the MKNP protected area supervisor and the Community Environment and  Natural Resources Office concerned for  proper compliance of the permittee to the terms and conditions of the permit;

*The logs or timber to be removed from the trees cut shall be turned over to the MKNP Protected Area Management Board  for proper management and disposition in accordance with pertinent regulation on the matter, the proceeds of which shall accrue to the Integrated Protected Area Fund of MKNP;

*The MKNP-PAMB shall closely monitor all aspects of geothermal development operations; and

*The enhanced mitigating measures shall include provisions for monitoring of any spill-over effects on the critically endangered, Rafflesia speciosa, and its host species.

The Undersecretary for Staff Bureaus sent the Memorandum of Atienza to the SP in response to its query on whether the Sanggunian endorsement is necessary or not viz-aviz the application of PNOC-EDC for a tree cutting permit in the buffer zone.

Considering that the LGU is a member of the MKNP-PAMB that has already given its concurrence to the request for a cutting permit, a separate LGU clearance is deemed no longer necessary, the DENR response to the SP said.

Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III said the SP will study the DENR response before coming up with its position.

Yulo said he did not know why the PNOC-EDC asked for the SP concurrence if Atienza had already acted on the matter.

Gov. Isidro Zayco said he was informed that the reason why Central Negros Electric Cooperation and the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative signed contracts to buy KEPCO coal-fired power from Cebu was current low production level of the PNOC-EDC.

Zayco said he hopes that when PNOC-EDC starts producing more power in Bago City will sell its power in Negros Occidental before selling it elsewhere.*CPG

back to top