The Protected Area Management Board Executive Committee has approved the request of the Japan Exploration Petroleum Company Ltd. for a 41-day extension of its exploration at the Tañon Strait between Cebu and Negros island.

JAPEX said it needs a few more days to finish the exploration since its workers got behind schedule when their machine bogged down.

The company made the request at the meeting attended by representatives from Barangays Aloguinsan and Pinamungahan in Cebu province, Department of Energy, Department Environment and Natural Resources and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and officials of Bais City headed by Mayor Hector Villanueva.

Villanueva said they granted the extension, citing the valid reasons stated by JAPEX. The Executive Committee, however, clarified that the exploration should not go beyond the agreed extension.

The mayor said he believes the further exploration will disturb the dolphins in the area. The presence of dolphins in Bais is one the main tourism attractions not only in Bais but of the entire Negros Oriental.

Villanueva said he is not against development as long as it does not cause harm to the environment.*MA

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