Olongapo SubicBay BatangGapo Newscenter

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Villar fears Hanjin is deceiving gov't

SENATE President Manuel Villar express apprehension that the South Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Co. Ltd. is trying to bluff the government by withdrawing the $2-billion shipyard facility in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

"Sa tingin ko puwede ring bluff lang naman pero tingnan muna natin kasi sayang din, kasi I was told na 40 mil ang kukunin nilang trabaho," Villar told reporters in a press conference during his visit in Cagayan de Oro City Friday.

But Villar is still counting the possibility that the government both the local and national will come up with a win-win solution to iron out whatever paradox that hounds the realization of the said project.

The senator also cited that Hanjin has committed some mistakes on their project particularly in Subic wherein they constructed a condominium in the middle of the forest without environment compliance certificate (ECC), which is a violation.

However, Villar said if the government cannot dissuade Hanjin from withdrawing the project this will cause a negative effect, adding that thousands have lost an opportunity for a possible job.

Villar declined to give comment on the possible reasons of Hanjin's desire to withdraw their billion-dollar shipyard project in Villanueva.

"I don't want to comment since wala akong masyadong alam sa problema sa Hanjin with the local government," Villar said.

Environment Impact Statement

But for the part of Engineer Alex Jimenez, chief of Environment Impact Statement Division (EISD) of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Hanjin has yet to submit their Environment Impact Statement (EIS) before they can start the operation of the shipyard project.

Jimenez though emphasized that EMB has no problem with regards to Hanjin's application. "In fact, the EMB had already issued an environment compliance certificate (ECC) last April 28 while the certificate of non-coverage (CNC) for perimeter fencing and site clearing was issued last April 4 of this year."

The first ECC issued by EMB to Hanjin is for the 5-meter high and 1,207.213-meter length perimeter fence, training and lecture, and office building and support services compose of gas refilling station, sewerage disposal facility, and guardhouse projects.

"But the consultant of Hanjin has yet to finish some other documents for the EIS," Jimenez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Jimenez said for Hanjin to secure another ECC for the shipyard operation they should first comply the EIS necessary procedures by conducting a public hearing, data gatherings, inventory of the area, scooping and among others.

Last April 23, Hanjin and Phividec representatives along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), EMB officials conducted a public consultation in barangays Tambobong and Balacanas in Villanueva town Misamis Oriental.

"So far tapos na lahat ang preparatory procedure for the EIS, pero magdepende pa rin `yan sa consultant ng Hanjin kung kailan niya isa-submit ang mga documents," Jimenez said. By Annabelle L. Ricalde - SunStar

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