The Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center had discussed legal actions against the off-shore mining operation of NorAsia Energy Limited and the alleged violation by local government units of the Clean Air Act.
Spearheaded by legal counsel Gloria Estenzo Ramos, the environmental network Save Tañon Strait Citizens’ Movement and representatives from Argao, Sibonga, and Pinamungajan towns filed administrative charges against 10 LGUs for allegedly not imposing fishery laws, rules and regulations.
These LGUs are Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Consolacion, Compostela, Liloan, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, and Cebu City.
The complainants contend that imperialist plunder in the Philippines is also expressed in the form of across-the-nation large-scale and massive offshore mining/oil and gas explorations.
NorAsia, an Australian oil and gas explorer, will fund and operate oil and gas exploration activities in the tradition of Tañon Strait offshore mining including Cebu-Bohol Strait and Argao, which is the latest target for oil drilling.
Ramos expressed that oil exploration and oil drilling should not be allowed inasmuch as it violates Article II of the 1987 Constitution which reads that “it impairs the right for a healthy and balanced ecology as well as the right for the subsistence of fisherfolks and right of the marine mammals.”
Meanwhile, they will also be sending notice to sue Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, DENR-7 executive director Leonardo Sibbaluca, Environmental Management Bureau regional director Alan Rodriguez, Raul Aguilos of the Land Transportation Office-7, and Department of Trade and Industry-7 regional director Asteria Caberte pursuant to Section 41 of Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and its implementing rules and regulations.
They are giving 30 days notice for the government’s alleged failure to perform the duties mandated by RA 8749 and also to activate the Metro Cebu Air Shed Management Board which has reportedly gone dysfunctional for almost two years already.
“We don’t have to go to court, but if we have to, we will do that. Wala man g’yod nila tagai ug pakabana kani nga issue, so we don’t have a choice but to avail of legal remedies. We will use these legal tools to enforce our rights,” Ramos pointed out referring to the alleged blatant disregard of the government about the issue.
Anselmo Semoran, spokesperson and vice chairman of the Simala Bantay-Dagat Association said he is displeased of the seismic survey conducted by NorAsian in their municipality last year which was reportedly carried out without prior proper information done among residents.
He said he was vexed even more when the company just stated it was to pay for the damaged barrier reef at P50 per day, with which fisherfolks expressed discontent.
He asked that the consultative meeting be leveled down to fisherfolks. “Dili mag-apil-apil sa consultative meeting ang wala’y kasinatian aning oil drilling,” Semoran said referring to the residents who reportedly “gave a nod to the P50-per-day payment in the Simala seismic survey, unmindful of the discontented fishermen during the meeting.”
They asked for the 16-square-kilometer fishing area not to be taken away from them, because without which, small fisherfolks like them would greatly suffer. They claimed they have suffered already for four and a half months. – Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV