Resto in marine sanctuary?

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board is currently looking into an alleged violation in Hilutungan Island, Cordova town, where a restaurant was reportedly constructed in a marine sanctuary.

Yesterday, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was invited to the regular session of the PB to answer the queries of the body, particularly on the Environmental Compliance Certificate which DENR issues to companies seeking permission to proceed with the next phase of development.

While DENR Executive Director Isabelo Montejo was not able to make it to the PB session, he was represented by DENR’s Coastal and Marine Management Division chief Vicente Calizar.

Calizar told the board he visited Hilutungan Island June this year together with the island’s people’s organization and members of the Asian Development Bank who were assessing the development of the area.  Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy asked Calizar what he saw in the island, and Calizar replied he noticed a structure that apparently looked like a restaurant.

Sitoy then asked Calizar if he was aware of an article written by a certain Robert White, who is an expert in marine sanctuaries but Calizar said that he only heard of White’s name and does not know about the article.

White wrote an article pointing out that marine sanctuaries, like that on the Hilutungan Island, should follow certain regulations so that the breeding process of the fishes would not be disturbed.

Sitoy said he agrees with White that a structure within the area of the marine sanctuary would defeat the purpose of putting up the sanctuary in the first place since the fishes would not stay in an area where there is too much activity.

Sitoy further asked Calizar if an ECC was issued for the construction of the structure. Calizar said he asked a member of the Hilutungan People’s organization if there was an ECC and was told there was. However, Calizar admitted that he did not see a copy of the certificate. He also admitted that he did not go down from the boat to inspect the structure.

“It could be my fault that I did not go down and check,” said Calizar.

In an interview with the media later, Calizar explained that ECC issuance is under the office of DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau as his office only provides technical assistance and other forms of assessment for marine protected areas in municipal waters. 

“Sa ECC dili na maapil among division,” Calizar said, adding that an ECC has limitations but is based on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan issued.

“Kay kung mo-allow diay sila, wala mi mahimo kay igo raman mi ni assess,” he added. 

“So far ang sa sanctuary, depende ra pud na sa ilang Marine Protected Area Establishment. Kung ang ilang integrated Coastal Management Plan ug CLUP nag ingon na naay areas for ecotourism , di gyud na nato mapugngan,” Calizar said.

But Calizar said that since Vice Governor Agnes Magpale asked what he can do on the matter, Calizar assured he will speak with DENR’s regional director so they can look into the concern. He also said that it would be best to file a formal complaint so proceedings will be made.

However, Sitoy said it is already Calizer’s job to act on the issue at hand.

“Iya man na trabaho kay kakita man siya. Unsa man diay iyang trabaho?  Kinahanglan diay naay formal complaint? Dili man na quasi-judicial body iyang gihandolan, executive function man na iya. He should take the initiative,” Sitoy said. 

He added it was Calizar’s fault why he did not closely inspect the facility considering that he may have had suspicions since he asked there was an ECC.

  “He is at fault. Unsa man diay iya giadto? Iya gyud tong duty. Nangutana siya ug naay ECC? Unya ug naa, nakakita siya? The fact na nangutana siya goes to show na siya mismo wala kauyon, kita siya na irregular,” Sitoy said.

Apart from the DENR, the Provincial Board yesterday invited officials of the Hei Yang Sports, Inc. a group of Koreans who is reportedly behind the structure. But none of the five officers showed up.

“They are no longer to be found. Katingad-an ngano they are not there,” said Sitoy who said that if the group would still not show up on the next session or would not meet with the members of the PB, he would be forced to ask help from the Bureau of Immigration.  (FREEMAN)