[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 14, 2009
By JONAS REYES
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A group of environmentalists, religious leaders, and members of non-governmental organizations visited the controversial Ocean 9 hotel-casino project over the weekend and found out that no tree was cut at the site.
The visit prompted the group to reconsider its stand on the accusations hurled by Architect Felino Palafox Jr. against the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in connection with the project.
The group sought a dialogue between the opposing camps to ferret out the truth about Palafox’s allegations that the project would destroy more than 300 trees, a claim that the SBMA had disputed.
The visit, which was organized by the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP), was joined by some 100 representatives of the Haribon Foundation, Kapatiran, Zambales Earth Savers, and students of De La Salle University, Adamson University, Assumption Academy in Bulacan, and Columban College in Olongapo City.
Fr. June Vic Diolata, AMRSP executive vice secretary, said the visit provided "helpful information" that countered "serious accusations" by Palafox.
"All the allegations of Palafox will have to be assessed," Diolata said. "We hope we could see a dialogue between the two (parties)," he added.
The group visited the project site last Saturday after hearing Palafox speak at a forum held at the Columban College in Olongapo.
Palafox did not join the on-site visit during which the group was accompanied by SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.
Ocean 9 Managing Executive Director Louis Jong-Moon Choi was also at hand to welcome the visitors and respond to their queries.
