Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition yesterday vowed to oppose the entry of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal power.

At a press conference at the Bishop's House in Bacolod City yesterday, Delia Locsin and Edwin Balajadia of the coalition said the entry of PNOC-EDC into the 169-hectare buffer zone in Bago City is non-negotiable, they are studying legal moves to seek the repeal of a provision in Republic Act 9154 that allows the utilization of geothermal energy resources in the area.

RA 9154 is known as the Mt. Kanlaon Park Act of 2001.

Navarra, in an interview after the press conference, said that even if the PNOC-EDC entry into the buffer zone is covered by a law, something that is legal can be immoral.

If PNOC-EDC can extract the geothermal power it needs from the buffer zone through equipment that will enter the area from underground, the Bishop said he will not oppose such a move.

But if PNOC-EDC enters from above ground and cuts trees, he will oppose the move.

The Save the Mt. Kanlaon Coalition said MKNP performs a major role in the life support system.

It said it is a watershed in a critical state, it is an oxygen giver and a carbon sink and a home of endemic, rare and extinct flora and fauna.

The presence of PNOC-EDC in the MKNP clearly contradicts its declaration as a natural park, we should not surrender our national heritage and patrimony, the group added.

Green Alert Negros Environmental Network yesterday also aired its opposition to the PNOC-EDC entry into the park's buffer zone.

Locsin said PNOC-EDC initially targeted the production of 80 megawatts of geothermal power but scaled it down to 40 megawatts.

Since they can only produce 20 megawatts from outside the park they want to enter the buffer zone, she said. What assurance do we have that if they fail to generate enough geothermal energy from within the buffer zone they will not encroach further into the park? she asked.

The 24,557-hectare MKNP covers Murcia , La Castellana, Bago City , La Carlota City and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and Vallahermoso and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

Asked what alternative power sources they are eyeing if they are opposed to coal and geothermal energy, Locsin said government should seriously push for solar, biomass, wind and hydro power.

Fr. Anecito Buenafe, director of the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center, said the Church supports the move of the coalition against the entry of PNOC-EDC into the buffer zone that will result in the destruction of trees and natural habitats.*CPG

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