The Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition called for the scrapping of the buffer zone provision and amendment of Republic Act 9154 or the Mt. Kanlaon Park Act of 2001.

Edwin Balajadia of the Coalition said the presence of rare and endangered fauna and flora species such as the Rafflesia inside the so-called 169-hectare buffer zone proves that MKNP is a strict protection zone which belies its use as a buffer or multiple use area.

The coalition is exhorting the public including progressive government officials, non-government and people's organizations, churches and environmental groups to join hands in opposing PNOC-EDC's planned intrusion in the park, he said.

He said RA 9154 is a legal anomaly since it legalizes the proposed entry of Philippine National Oil Company-EDC's in MKNP.

He added that RA 9154 contravenes the National Integrated Protected Areas System law passed in 1992 which prohibits energy survey and exploration in natural parks.

Balajadia said PNOC-EDC is able to circumvent the law because of its backers from the Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, and Agriculture departments of the government.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Board Member Mae Javellana, chairperson of SP Environment and Natural Resources Committee, had said that PNOC's entry in MKNP is legal according to RA 9154.

Javellana presided over the committee hearing on the proposed geothermal exploration of PNOC within the buffer zone that was attended by environmentalists groups and representatives from Provincial Environment and Management Office.*NAB

back to top