Monday, August 04, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
BACOLOD CITY: Given a five-year period to reforest about 400 hectares in Negros Occidental, the Energy Development Corp.(EDC) has started its reforestation commitment in about 30 hectares following an endorsement from the provincial government to continue their geothermal development exploration in the buffer zone of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park.
Striking back at oppositors who have been doing the rounds of schools to cull support from the academe to join the protest against EDC’s need to cut-down trees at the buffer zone for their civil works, the power producer released their reforestation program in the province and dared the opposition to match their reforestation accomplishments.
To date, since their entry in Negros Occidental in 1994 as then Philippine National Oil Company, EDC has already reforested 536 hectares and planted more than 600,000 trees, including those that have already been listed under endangered species.
EDC President and CEO Paul Aquino in a statement said, “Our reforestation project is an undeniable fact. It is quite unfortunate that some people deliberately miss out on this reality and just focus on the trees in the buffer zone to gain sympathy.”
Aquino was reacting to reports about the information drive in local schools by environmental groups who warn students of possible flooding and other disasters that may be caused by EDC’s cutting of about 4,000 trees in the buffer zone to allow them to set up their geothermal pads.
“Truth be told, we have already planted a total of 6.2 million trees on 14,313 hectares in all our geothermal sites. We have reforested and we continue to plant more because it is part of our commitment to preserve the ecosystem as a good corporate citizen,” Aquino said, adding that the opposition has failed to discuss the mitigating measures that the company is undertaking as part of its operations.
“They have mourned for the loss of the trees that we have cut. They should likewise rejoice and welcome the hundreds of thousands of trees that we have planted, which are already more than what is required of us in compliance with our MOA with the provincial government,” added Aquino. “Also, please take note that we will still reforest the 400 hectares that we committed in the MOA for the next five years.”
In their accomplishment report, EDC said they already planted trees on 300 hectares of private land, 100 hectares and another 50 hectares were planted inside the Mount. Kanlaon Natural Park in partnership with the Provincial Environment and Management Office and the Protected Area Management Board, respectively, while 86 hectares were planted in areas surrounding EDC’s geothermal facility in Murcia and Bago City. -- Ma. Ester L. Espina
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