Mt. Kanlaon, Its Myths and Wildlife, Painting by Masaste

Environmentalists Welcome Environment

Week with Songs, Dances, and Rituals of Protest.

     Bacolod City       -      Environmental groups led by Green Alert Negros and Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition will be welcoming Environment Week with songs, dances, and rituals of protest signifying their disappointment with the Sanguniang Panlalawigan's recent decision to endorse the entry of the Energy Development Corporation (formerly PNOC-EDC) into the buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and the support that the Provincial Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy and PAMB gave to further put the biodiversity and watershed of Mt. Kanlaon in crisis.

      “There is nothing to celebrate in this environment week because Mother Earth is already dying. The government opens the country to open pit mining, proliferation of dirty energy sources like coal plants, continuous logging of our remaining forests, uncontrolled destruction of our marine resources, promotion of genetically modified organism (GMOs), and privatization of our forest and coastal territories”. Green Alert stressed

      Green Alert also slams the Provincial Government for allowing the entry of EDC knowing that there are other alternative source of energy other than geothermal, for example hydro-electric, wind, and solar.

      “If the Provincial Government and the DENR are sincere in their call to protect our environment, they Provincial Government would not not have endorsed and supported EDC's entry into Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Rather, they would push for other renewal energy sources that are available. The Provincial Government lacks the political will to push for other renewal sources of energy and has been swayed into believing that the "energy crisis" can be addressed by cutting trees and destroying significant biodiversity in Mt. Kanlaon so as to explore and develop for geothermal energy.” Green Alert added.

      As part of the group’s advocacy to save Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, Green Alert and the Coalition are bringing in famous national musician Joey Ayala for a one night free concert on June 22 at the North Transport Terminal in SM City Bacolod. “Mt.Kanlaon Luwason upod kay Joey Ayala” will start at 6:30 in the evening.

Mark Cervantes

Coordinator