The Diocese of Bacolod yesterday maintained its stand that entry of state-owned Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp. in to the 169-hectare buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon National Park is “non-negotiable”, despite the endorsement of the Departments of Energy and Environment and Natural Resources.

Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Social Action Director of the Diocese of Bacolod, said that while the PNOC-EDC gave its assurance that they will be responsible for the re-planting of trees to replace those they will cut from the buffer zone, the damage to the park could never be restored.

 “The damage will be irreversible and that is unacceptable”, Buenafe said in his letter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.

Environment groups also met earlier with Governor Isidro Zayco, Vice-Governor Emilio Yulo III and Board Member Mae Javellana to reiterate their vehement opposition to the proposed entry of PNOPC-EDC to the Kanlaon buffer zone.

Buenafe said the alternatives that PNOC-EDC, represented by Agnes de Jesus, promised to Bishop Vicente Navarra, of renting an international rig with longer reach to penetrate the underground of the park, or tapping 20 megawatt power from its Nasulo project to cover its desired power outputs, have not been explored.

Instead, he added, the PNOC-EDC is opting  for the easy and lucrative way out, citing their entry to the buffer zone.

Yulo had earlier said they expect to rule on the proposal of the PNOC-EDC this month.*GPB

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