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[av_heading heading=’Guv, vice guv reiterate: No to EDC study ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
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BACOLOD City – Again, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson stated their opposition to a proposed “geoscientific” study at the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) in Negros Occidental.
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) proposed the study.
In a joint statement, Marañon and Lacson stressed they reject any plan to scour the protected area for energy source.
“We’re just letting the EDC know we don’t want any more exploration at the NNNP,” said the vice governor.
Also, the EDC’s proposed study was “not in consonance” with Presidential Proclamation No. 895, which declared areas covered by the Northern Negros Forest Reserve “protected,” the officials said.
The forest reserve covers Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, and San Carlos cities, and EB Magalona, Murcia, Toboso, Calatrava, and Salvador Benedicto towns.
Marañon and Lacson pointed out that the NNNP “shall be managed in accordance with the provisions of the NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Areas System) Act and its implementing rules and regulations.”
Section 14 of the NIPAS Act provides that “protected areas, except strict nature reserves and natural parks, may be subjected to exploration only for the purpose of gathering information on energy resources,” they said.
Marañon and Lacson appealed to the concerned local chief executives and the NNNP’s Protected Area Management Board to “uphold the laws governing the NNNP.”/PN
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