Gwen visits oil and gas drill site, assures environment is protected

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday assured the public that “extraordinary measures” are being undertaken by the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., LTD to protect the environment after she visited the drilling site at the Tañon Strait.

The governor visited the drill site together with members of the media to personally check on the safety measures implemented by Japex to ensure the protection of the environment, especially since the strait is a marine sanctuary.

Japex was authorized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to undertake oil and gas explorations in the area.

However, marginal fishermen who claim their livelihood is being affected by the drilling are against the exploration, along with environment groups.

 At least four solons — Eduardo Gullas, Teodoro Casinio, Antonio Cuenco and Benhur Salimbangon — have filed a resolution with the House of Representatives asking the House committee on natural resources to look into the impact of the oil exploration to the environment.

Likewise, the Cebu Provincial Board recently approved a resolution asking the environment agency, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other concerned citizen groups to strictly monitor the exploration.

But Garcia, during the inspection yesterday, said the explorations are safe as guaranteed by Japex.

“We were very impressed by the high premium of safety (ensured by Japex) to the visitors and workers in the drilling area,” Garcia said. “I hope that this visit will clear all the doubts and misinformation in the minds of the protesters.”

The governor, however, admitted that there is a risk posed by the drilling activities but said that “extraordinary measures to contain the risk” is underway.

Garcia said that if oil drilling will have positive results, this will benefit not just Cebu province but the entire country as well.

The governor also belied allegations that dolphins and fishes in the area have started to disappear due to the oil drilling saying that during the visit, she saw, from the water surface, different species of fish.

An environmental group earlier claimed that about 11 to 13 species of endangered marine species were killed following the oil drilling exploration.

If the exploration is successful, it is believed that Tañon Strait could deliver one billion barrels of oil in eight to 10 years. — Gerome M. Dalipe/QSB