The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental approved yesterday  the entry of the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone in Brgy. Mailum, Bago City, but set up strict conditions for them to observe.

The entry of PNOC EDC to tap more geothermal power for its North Negros Geothermal Power Plant  had been vehemently opposed by Bishop Vicente Navarra and environmentalist groups.

Members of the provincial council who expressed support for the entry of PNOC EDC to the buffer zone, that had already been endorsed by the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Energy, as well as the Protected Area Management Board, took turns in proposing conditions for the state-owned firm to comply with.

Among the conditions are the creation of an oversight and compliance committee to monitor the operations within the buffer zone, prioritization of Negros-based electric cooperatives in the availment of geothermal source of power, limitation of the project within the 12.5 hectares of the 169 hectares buffer zone, planting of several trees for every tree to be cut, lowering of the prevailing rates of power, satellite imaging of the buffer zone every quarter, and prohibition against cutting of trees of endangered species, among others.

Governor Isidro Zayco yesterday said the conditions set by the SP are reasonable, except for the submission of satellite imaging of the buffer zone every quarter of the year, which PNOC EDC said may not be achievable, and planting of 100 trees in exchange for every tree to be cut.

Zayco said PNOC EDC may submit satellite imaging of the affected area even thrice or twice a year, depending on the time that satellite may happen to pass the buffer zone area.

The deliberation on the request for concurrence of the SP for PNOC EDC to enter the buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park lasted for almost two hours, under guard, and also amid protest actions of anti and pro-PNOC followers outside the Capitol Building in Bacolod City.

Board Members Edgardo Acuña and Melvin Ibañez who initially opposed the entry of PNOC to the buffer zone but later changed their stands, questioned the request of concurrence being sought by the power firm, saying it was already an exercise in futility, and cited the endorsements of DOE, DENR, PAMB, among others, before them.

So, Ibañez said, “it is immaterial for us whether we vote yes or no.”

Board Member Miller Serondo who also shared the sentiments of Acuña and Ibañez said, “Hopefully, this is not a case of passing the buck”.

Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko pushed for the creation of a monitoring and oversight committee, which was also endorsed by Acuña who recommended that its membership should not be limited to ensure transparency.

Board Member Renato Gustilo recommended that PNOC should plant 100 trees for every to be cut at the buffer zone.

Navarra and environmentalist groups stood pat on their opposition, despite the presentation by PNOC of measures to protect the environment and the support of its entry by government and business leaders.

PNOC sought permission to enter the buffer zone to tap more geothermal steam to boost the North Negros Geothermal Power Plant production of electricity.

Environmentalist Doods Locsin and Andrea Si slammed what they called the deception of the Energy department, saying that the cause of brownouts is not insufficient power but management.

PNOC-EDC president Paul Aquino had earlier said that they were seeking the SP concurrence because, “We are just being good citizens, the law was passed but we just don’t want to bamboozle our way in.”

The entry of PNOC into the buffer zone was jointly endorsed by the Committees on Environment, Energy and Laws, after enumerating several conditions, which was unanimously approved by the SP during its regular session yesterday, on motion of Board Member Mae Javellana.*GPB

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