By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After Negros Occidental Governor-elect Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier revealed, due to pending resolutions surrounding legal issues, the $300 million ship recycling project in Hinoba-an’s Barangay Bacuyangan is suspended, Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao expressed his desire to have the project jump-started and called for the legal matters to be addressed.
Lacson earlier pointed out, despite the provincial government spending three years to acquire the property, they have yet to clear the area as there are still 18 homes on the land. According to the mayor, relocation is the responsibility of the municipal government and insisted the remaining structures and residents in the area will be utilized by investors Tsuneishi Heavy Industries.
While outgoing Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. had previously requested the Negros Occidental Provincial Board to pass proposed resolutions granting him the authority to apply for an environmental compliance certificate, along with other related clearances, his successor said there are currently legal issues surrounding the 150-hectare piece of land in the said barangay.
Green Alert Network-Negros Island and its allied organizations earlier opposed the facility, claiming 15,000 mangroves would be cut down to pave the way for the project. In addition, they said coral, sea grass, and the livelihoods of the community would also be affected.
Estrao also lamented on the loss thousands of job opportunities if the project does not push through; however, in response to the promises of new jobs, the environmentalist group said, “This can only promise us a cheap-paying job in tough and dangerous conditions.”
They also noted, citing research regarding ship recycling yards in other countries, workers and the public are often exposed to health and environmental hazards./DGB, WDJ