The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental is seeking an opinion from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources if they are required to issue an endorsement before DENR can issue a permit to the state-owned Philippine National Oil Company- Energy Development Corp. to cut trees, conduct civil works and pipe-laying inside the 169 hectares of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

The SP also asked for comments and recommendations from the DENR and the Department of Energy before deciding on the proposed entry of PNOC-EDC to the 169-hectare buffer zone of the park, which is vehemently opposed by environmentalist and militant groups.

York Ylosorio, SP secretary, said whatever the recommendations DOE and DENR will make will be adopted by the provincial council of Negros Occidental.

The SP agreed to give DENR and DOE seven days to give its comments and recommendations, before making a decision.

Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz of the SP Committee on Energy said PNOC-EDC should be required to get a new Environmental Compliance Certificate for its expansion project.

Mayors Ramon Torres and Esteban Coscolluela of Bago City and Murcia expressed support to the proposal, saying it is within the ambit of R.A. 9154.*GPB

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