Liloan seeks Capitol's help against ship repair facility in Suba River

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Government of Liloan, Cebu has asked the Capitol to assist them in prosecuting a ship repair facility operating in a tourism zone area without permit and clearances.

Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco Frasco presented a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan requesting Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to help in the criminal, civil, administrative and environmental cases the town has filed against Michael Slipways, Inc.

They alleged that the facility is operating without a business permit and in violation of environmental laws.

Frasco said he cannot issue a permit because it is operating in Suba River right at the mouth of Silot Bay, an area declared as tourism zone as classified by their revised Zoning Ordinance. Residents nearby reportedly are complaining about pollution genperated by the facility that caused them some illnesss.

Garcia is set to issue an executive order for the facility to cease and desist operations, invoking the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code which authorizes her to take whatever action needed to protect the general welfare of the people.

Garcia said she will call upon the Philippine National Police and all other agencies of government that can implement the order. Garcia also learned that the clearance issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources already expired.

“I hope the environmentalists will also take this into account since they are very, very keen on protecting the environment. Here is one very very clear case, not imagine cobwebs,” Garcia said.

DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso confirmed that during the investigation of environmental assessment, there was really a violation by the company with respect to sea water pollution and also noise pollution during night time.

“Having this considered, we might as well strengthen the plan of the Provincial Government to issue the cease and desist order with respect to the environmental violations also under our department and more so the establishment is operating with expired permit already because the permit is only until 25th of January 2012,” Dichoso said.

He said the clearance can be renewed provided the company can comply with the environmental standards set by the DENR.

Frasco said the case was left unattended in the past years but the reoccurrence of the same complaints from residents prompted them to strengthen the case. –(FREEMAN)