DENR may review Subic’s autonomy on environment care
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza is open to reviewing an agreement that gave the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority autonomy in the Subic Bay free port amid a furor over construction of high-rise condominiums in the Subic rainforest.
"Let's see whether the devolution [of responsibility] is working correctly as far as care of the environment in Subic is concerned, and matters of issuing clearances for housing and development,'' Atienza said in a phone interview on Sunday.
"I don't mind looking into it,'' he added.
On the other hand, Zambales Representatives Mitos Magsaysay said she did not find it necessary for the House to hold a separate investigation into the issue, for as long as the SBMA could establish if the condominiums were built on a development area in the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve.
Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., which oversees Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Guard), called the construction of the two high-rises inside the tropical rainforest "horrific'' and demanded an inquiry.
Concerned individuals have also called the Philippine Daily Inquirer's attention to the two condominiums being constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Ltd. as housing for its staff.
The DENR, during the leadership of previous Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, signed a memorandum of agreement with SBMA recognizing the latter's "self-regulatory power'' over the free port. This included the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate.
Hanjin obtained an ECC from SBMA to build the condominiums.
Atienza said he could propose amending the MOA if DENR were to find the SBMA falling short of doing its job.
"If ... they're exercising their functions properly, well and good. If not, I won't mind amending the agreement in which the DENR will have an oversight function,'' he said.
Atienza, however, indicated he would not rush into reviewing the MOA, saying the SBMA should be given a chance to explain.
"Technically and legally, the responsibility to issue clearances and proper care of the free port and its surroundings had been devolved to SBMA,'' he said on the phone.
"Let's give the local environmental officials a chance to explain their decision. I'm sure there should be an explanation. Let's see how they explain their functions to justify their decision,'' he added.
Congresswoman Magsaysay said she was told by the SBMA that the condominiums were built in a "development area'' in the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve.
"According to SBMA, the area where it's constructed is classified for development. If it falls under that category, why will I complain?'' she said in a phone interview.
She said she would reconsider her position if somebody could dispute SBMA's position and present proof the condominiums were constructed in a land classified as "no-commerce to man.''
"Let's say it's constructed in a prohibited area, then I will complain,'' she said.
The 10-hectare Subic Watershed Forest Reserve, located on the Morong side of the free port, was declared a protected area under Proclamation No. 926 issued by the Aquino administration in June 1992.
Magsaysay said the best way to clarify the issue was for the SBMA to make a full disclosure of the classification of the construction site.
She did not think it would be necessary for the House of Representatives to hold an inquiry into the matter.
"No ... All we have to do is get the official stand of the SBMA. What's the area intended for? Is it for development or not?'' she said when asked if there was a need for the House to investigate the issue.
Magsaysay said that personally, she saw nothing wrong with the construction of the condominiums if this was done on a land "allocated for development.''
"I have no problem with that. We can't stop progress. That's how it is,'' she said.
"Don't tell me each time we cut down trees to build roads, like the Clark-Subic-Tarlac expressway, we will complain. If we do that, then there will be no development,'' she said. By TJ Burgonio - Philippine Daily Inquirer
"Let's see whether the devolution [of responsibility] is working correctly as far as care of the environment in Subic is concerned, and matters of issuing clearances for housing and development,'' Atienza said in a phone interview on Sunday.
"I don't mind looking into it,'' he added.
On the other hand, Zambales Representatives Mitos Magsaysay said she did not find it necessary for the House to hold a separate investigation into the issue, for as long as the SBMA could establish if the condominiums were built on a development area in the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve.
Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., which oversees Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Guard), called the construction of the two high-rises inside the tropical rainforest "horrific'' and demanded an inquiry.
Concerned individuals have also called the Philippine Daily Inquirer's attention to the two condominiums being constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Ltd. as housing for its staff.
The DENR, during the leadership of previous Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, signed a memorandum of agreement with SBMA recognizing the latter's "self-regulatory power'' over the free port. This included the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate.
Hanjin obtained an ECC from SBMA to build the condominiums.
Atienza said he could propose amending the MOA if DENR were to find the SBMA falling short of doing its job.
"If ... they're exercising their functions properly, well and good. If not, I won't mind amending the agreement in which the DENR will have an oversight function,'' he said.
Atienza, however, indicated he would not rush into reviewing the MOA, saying the SBMA should be given a chance to explain.
"Technically and legally, the responsibility to issue clearances and proper care of the free port and its surroundings had been devolved to SBMA,'' he said on the phone.
"Let's give the local environmental officials a chance to explain their decision. I'm sure there should be an explanation. Let's see how they explain their functions to justify their decision,'' he added.
Congresswoman Magsaysay said she was told by the SBMA that the condominiums were built in a "development area'' in the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve.
"According to SBMA, the area where it's constructed is classified for development. If it falls under that category, why will I complain?'' she said in a phone interview.
She said she would reconsider her position if somebody could dispute SBMA's position and present proof the condominiums were constructed in a land classified as "no-commerce to man.''
"Let's say it's constructed in a prohibited area, then I will complain,'' she said.
The 10-hectare Subic Watershed Forest Reserve, located on the Morong side of the free port, was declared a protected area under Proclamation No. 926 issued by the Aquino administration in June 1992.
Magsaysay said the best way to clarify the issue was for the SBMA to make a full disclosure of the classification of the construction site.
She did not think it would be necessary for the House of Representatives to hold an inquiry into the matter.
"No ... All we have to do is get the official stand of the SBMA. What's the area intended for? Is it for development or not?'' she said when asked if there was a need for the House to investigate the issue.
Magsaysay said that personally, she saw nothing wrong with the construction of the condominiums if this was done on a land "allocated for development.''
"I have no problem with that. We can't stop progress. That's how it is,'' she said.
"Don't tell me each time we cut down trees to build roads, like the Clark-Subic-Tarlac expressway, we will complain. If we do that, then there will be no development,'' she said. By TJ Burgonio - Philippine Daily Inquirer
Labels: condominium towers, denr, ecology, hanjin, sbma, Subic Bay
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