More projects up in Subic watershed area
SUBIC BAY, Philippines - Still reeling from the controversial condominium project within a watershed area, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Monday disclosed that other developments are in the pipeline for the protected site.
Areas inside the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve designated as "recreational" are ready for development, SBMA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand C. Arreza told the weekly forum "Kapihan sa Manila Hotel."
Mr. Arreza said development is allowed in areas within the 10,000-hectare forest reserve that were "classified as sustainable mixed-use zones" after they have been cleared by the United States Navy, the base’s former occupant, in 1968.
He stopped short of disclosing the total land area allowed for development.
"[Based on the] policy of the SBMA this is the only way for us to get investments," he said, adding that they will not clear areas with "zero development" or previously undeveloped sites.
He said some parts of the so-called recreational areas have been used by companies for hotels and theme parks.
"None of the old rainforest will be touched. We will not allow that to happen," he added.
The issue stemmed from the housing project of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Ltd. for its employees amid the protected area, which has elicited criticisms from environmentalists and prompted a Senate investigation on possible violations to environmental laws.
He claimed the Hanjin project had "no trade-off" and that necessary clearances were obtained by the SBMA before the project started last year.
Mr. Arreza said they allowed Hanjin’s project to proceed "because [it is] a big investor," adding SBMA has offered different locations near the shipyard.
He said Hanjin, which has so far invested $1.65 billion in the free port, is expected to employ at least 11,000 by yearend.
Environment Undersecretary Manuel D. Gerochi, who was at the same forum, said the department has devolved its authority to SBMA to issue environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) in 2006, related to the project.
Mr. Gerochi added they are reviewing SBMA’s mandate to issue ECCs following the Hanjin project controversy, but "as of the moment, we will not withdraw that [mandate]."
He said the department maintains oversight functions over Subic and that it can overrule SBMA if there are violations to development rules.
Documents obtained by BusinessWorld showed that the Subic Apartment Complex Project is outside the core ecological zone based on a zoning plan conducted in 2002 by a team of international land use experts sponsored by the World Bank.
Mr. Gerochi said some areas can be used for developments such as the Hanjin project.
Also at the same forum, environmentalist Rafael S. Barrozo, national coordinator of the Kabalikat sa Kalikasan (Partner in Nature) and Organic Alliance, said, "You can never buy the environment. We always have to think of the environment for our welfare than protecting foreign investments."
Mr. Arreza said they are ready to go to the Senate or any proper forum "to defend our position." - Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld
Areas inside the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve designated as "recreational" are ready for development, SBMA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand C. Arreza told the weekly forum "Kapihan sa Manila Hotel."
Mr. Arreza said development is allowed in areas within the 10,000-hectare forest reserve that were "classified as sustainable mixed-use zones" after they have been cleared by the United States Navy, the base’s former occupant, in 1968.
He stopped short of disclosing the total land area allowed for development.
"[Based on the] policy of the SBMA this is the only way for us to get investments," he said, adding that they will not clear areas with "zero development" or previously undeveloped sites.
He said some parts of the so-called recreational areas have been used by companies for hotels and theme parks.
"None of the old rainforest will be touched. We will not allow that to happen," he added.
The issue stemmed from the housing project of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Ltd. for its employees amid the protected area, which has elicited criticisms from environmentalists and prompted a Senate investigation on possible violations to environmental laws.
He claimed the Hanjin project had "no trade-off" and that necessary clearances were obtained by the SBMA before the project started last year.
Mr. Arreza said they allowed Hanjin’s project to proceed "because [it is] a big investor," adding SBMA has offered different locations near the shipyard.
He said Hanjin, which has so far invested $1.65 billion in the free port, is expected to employ at least 11,000 by yearend.
Environment Undersecretary Manuel D. Gerochi, who was at the same forum, said the department has devolved its authority to SBMA to issue environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) in 2006, related to the project.
Mr. Gerochi added they are reviewing SBMA’s mandate to issue ECCs following the Hanjin project controversy, but "as of the moment, we will not withdraw that [mandate]."
He said the department maintains oversight functions over Subic and that it can overrule SBMA if there are violations to development rules.
Documents obtained by BusinessWorld showed that the Subic Apartment Complex Project is outside the core ecological zone based on a zoning plan conducted in 2002 by a team of international land use experts sponsored by the World Bank.
Mr. Gerochi said some areas can be used for developments such as the Hanjin project.
Also at the same forum, environmentalist Rafael S. Barrozo, national coordinator of the Kabalikat sa Kalikasan (Partner in Nature) and Organic Alliance, said, "You can never buy the environment. We always have to think of the environment for our welfare than protecting foreign investments."
Mr. Arreza said they are ready to go to the Senate or any proper forum "to defend our position." - Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld
Labels: condominium towers, denr, ecology, environment, hanjin, sbma, Subic Bay
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