By CESAR JOLITO III

Hacienda Asia Plantations, Inc. (HAPI), the operator of a palm oil plantation in Negros Occidental’s Candoni town, assured Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson that it will comply with environmental regulations, particularly the requirement to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Lacson confirmed that HAPI has temporarily halted their quarrying and other earth-moving activities in response to a cease and desist order previously issued by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Western Visayas on June 13.

The EMB is awaiting further guidance and documentation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, particularly regarding the specifics of the Integrated Forest Management Agreement area granted to HAPI.

Lacson said he has already communicated with Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla regarding the matter, as the latter reportedly spoke with HAPI representatives, who confirmed their intent to apply for the appropriate ECC.

The palm oil plantation’s agricultural activities remain operational while the environmental compliance process is underway.

HAPI operates approximately 6,652 hectares of land in Barangays Gatuslao and Agboy under an Integrated Forest Management Agreement.

Earlier, Lacson expressed concern over HAPI’s continued quarrying and earth-moving activities without the required ECC, which poses potential harm to the environment./CJ, WDJ