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

GREEN ALERT ON SP DECISION FAVORING PNOC,
"YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE!"

News Release May 23, 2008

Bacolod City – Green Alert Negros condemns the recent decision of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental endorsing the entry of PNOC inside the 169 hectares buffer zone in Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

"We will hold them accountable to the imminent impacts of the geothermal project on our depleting natural resources like the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. We also hold accountable the Provincial Government of Negros, the Regional Director of DENR, and the PENRO for defending the project which we call the demise of Negros environment." Green Alert said.

"The impacts of the project are irreversible. Its benefits are just short term and temporary but its imminent impact is long term like the watershed crisis and food security. Our watershed area has been declared critical since 1990 and we are experiencing food crisis due to droughts. With global warming and climate change, this will be severely aggravated." Green Alert added.

The SP has been given the chance to decide on the matter but its members were swayed by wrong and deceiving information like power crisis and the promise of development. The present members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan have been given the chance to take a bold stand to decide on the matter and to change policy paradigms or framework on crucial decision making but they did not do so. Knowing the inconsistencies of the endorsements and laws pertaining to the project and even learning that the conditions set forth by the DENR Special Cutting Permit is vague and the impacts and threats we have raised against the project, the SP still decided in favor of PNOC.

"Their decision is unforgivable. Our children will know what happened The SP will carry the responsibility of putting the future in danger with their unprincipled stand. That they voted in favor of economic considerations and not for the survival of Negrenses who are very much dependent on our natural resources - this decision will haunt them forever." Green Alert added.

Prepared by:
Mark Cervantes
Green Alert Negros