The Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition is ready to file court action to stop the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. from entering the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone, Edwin Balajadia of the coalition yesterday said.

He said the provisions in Republic Act 9154, also known as the Mt. Kanlaon Park Act of 2001 that allows PNOC to enter the buffer zone, are questionable and contradictory to the principles of environment protection and sustainable development.

He said that with the privatization of PNOC, allowing it to enter MKNP's protected zone will set a dangerous precedence among multi-national companies who will use it as a reason to launch their own activities in the area.

He added that the power shortage issue raised in favor of PNOC-EDC will not suffice since the company failed to generate enough power since it started operating the geothermal plant in Bago City last year.

Allowing any environmentally destructive activities inside the park is like surrendering national patrimony, Balajadia also said.*NAB

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