Shipping firm asks DENR-7 to recall halt order
DENR-7 has issued a cease and desist order against this development project along the coast of Barangay Punta in San Remigio for the company’s alleged failure to secure permission from the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape - Protected Area Management Board (TSPS-PAMB). Contributed Photo
CEBU, Philippines - The management of Elite Fabrication Yard has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7 (DENR-7) to recall the cease and desist order the agency has issued against the company’s ongoing development in San Remigio town and replace it with a show cause order.
Representing the company, environmentalist lawyer Benjamin Cabredo, co-founder of Philippine Earth Justice Center, has questioned the validity of the cease and desist order saying that there was no due process given to his client.
“We do not respect the cease and desist order,” said Cabredo.
During the technical conference at the DENR-7’s substation in Luyang, Carmen yesterday, Cabredo has raised two objections which include the procedure of the issuance of the cease and desist order (CDO) and the delineation by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
Cabredo said PAMB may tackle the issues they raised.
“They have to make sure they have delineated the area, if not, they will be charged with graft,” warned Cabredo.
Cabredo explained there are three categories in the protected area which include the strict protection zone, the buffer zone and the multiple use zone.
Prospero Lendio, the Protected Area Superintendent (PASU), earlier alleged that some of the company's personnel have already began excavating at the project site along the coast of Barangay Punta in San Remigio when the company has yet to secure a permit for their development project from the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS-PAMB).
“Why issue SAPA (Special Agreement on Protected Area) if you are outside the protected area. You cannot encroach landscape,” Cabredo said.
Cabredo also denied the allegations that the development has no permit from TSPS-PAMB.
He said the area is a titled lot and the company applied in 2013 for SAPA and the environmental compliance certificate had been issued before the shipyard was constructed four years ago.
Cabredo has suspected a hidden hand behind why the issue was raised just now but he expects PASU to recall the CDO.
Should the DENR implement the CDO, Cabredo warned the law enforcers of charges that they will be facing for implementing the order which, Cabredo says, is illegal, invalid and whimsical. (FREEMAN)
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