“Tañoners” vow to guard the Visayan environment

Celebrating victory over the reported withdrawal of the Japanese firm which conducted an oil exploration and drilling in the Tañon Strait, the Save Tañon Strait Movement officially launched itself as a guardian over other matters affecting the environment in the Visayas.

“We are now the Tañoners,” this was the declaration made by the movement’s key members, Vince Cinches, Dr. Lemuel Aragones, and lawyers Benjamin Cabrido, Gloria Ramos, Allan Tabanao and Prof. Jerry Pescadero in a pre-launching activity yesterday morning.

The “Tañoners” officially made their launching last night at the Outpost Restaurant in Lahug with the presence of members and local chief executives supportive of the movement.

Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva, who supports the cause, was also present during the launch.

Aragones, however, said Japex Philippines Ltd., the subsidiary of Tokyo-based Japan Petroleum Corporation, as well as national government agencies responsible for the drilling in Tañon are not yet off the hook.

“We will continue the fight because of its transcendental importance almost all municipal waters in the Philippines are either subject to being offered for an oil hunt,” Aragones said.

“Still there are special contracts existing in Visayan waters equally damaging as Special Contract 46 covering Tañon,” Aragones added.

Meanwhile, Cabrido said the case in the Supreme Court will go on as well as other administrative cases filed against the agencies involved.

Cinches said they will still ascertain the amount of damage brought by Japex to make sure the firm will no longer be coming back to do business.

Department of Energy regional director Antonio Labios said he cannot officially confirm whether Japex indeed withdrew its oil project from Tañon.

“DOE Central Visayas should know, but so far there is no news or communication yet,” Labios said.

He however said that there are ongoing meetings with Japex and DOE Manila officials, whose itinerary is expected to be about the project.

A press release posted at the Japex website revealed the company’s relinquishment over SC 46 block located in Tañon Strait upon the contract’s expiration by June 20.

According to the press release, the place lacked commercial oil and gas.

Fishermen from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental were the first to oppose the project fearing loss of income.

Further, the “Tañoners” are also set to deal with environmental concerns other than Tañon.  Earlier this week, Cinches said they already implied their opposition over the plan of Global Power Corporation to increase coal supply in the province.  — Ferliza C. Contratista with Jessica Ann Pareja, UP MassCom intern/MEEV