By CESAR JOLITO III
The Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas (EMB-6) has executed an investigation into reports that quarrying and bulldozing activities are ongoing at a palm plantation in Negros Occidental’s Candoni town despite the issuance of a cease and desist order (CDO).
Vicente Losbañes, EMB-6 Enforcement Division head, said a team has already been deployed to validate the reports regarding the alleged environmental violations conducted by the Hacienda Asia Plantations, Inc. (HAPI).
“If proven, these activities constitute a clear violation of the CDO issued by the agency,” Losbañes said.
HAPI had earlier assured Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson that quarry operations at the plantation would be halted and that the company would apply for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as required by law.
Currently, the EMB is awaiting submission of necessary documents from HAPI, including its 25-year Comprehensive Development Plan and other supporting requirements.
However, Losbañes clarified that the EMB cannot issue the ECC until the complaint raised by indigenous peoples regarding ancestral domain claims is resolved.
It was learned that HAPI holds an Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Still, EMB-6 is seeking clarification on how much of the land covered by the IFMA is intended for forest plantation versus palm plantation use.
Meanwhile, EMB is considering referring the issue involving HAPI to the Philippine Coconut Authority for further evaluation and possible action.
The case underscores growing tensions between environmental regulation, land use and ancestral domain rights in development areas across the province.
Earlier, the EMB said the public scoping for HAPI’s P60 million oil palm plantation will be held at the municipal covered gymnasium on July 3.
This is the early stage in the environmental impact assessment process, as the proponent aims to provide an overview of the proposed project, EMB-6 said.
HAPI operates approximately 6,652 hectares of land in Barangays Gatuslao and Agboy under an IFMA./CJ, WDJ