DENR admits being 'lax' in Coron reclamation

MANILA — The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday said a reclamation project in Coron, Palawan was "rushed" amid the COVID-19 pandemic, adding it is willing to press charges if the project destroyed the environment.

Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said they were "shocked" that the Coron Bay Development Project has already covered 40 of the entire 48 hectares. He admitted the environment agency has faults for failing to monitor it.

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The DENR has since canceled the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) of the reclamation project. The reclamation activities have also been suspended, Leones earlier said.

"Sinamantala nila na mag-reclaim nang mag-reclaim at kumuha ng filling materials diyan," said Leones in a televised briefing.

"Nakikita nga rin namin yan na may kaunting lax yun on the part kasi dapat nakikita ng [City o Provincial Environment and Natural Resources] yung progress ng kanilang gawain doon pero ang sa amin naman kasi once we issued the ECC, dapat faithfully kino-comply ng proponent yun," he added.

"Ngayon... kaya nga lang although it is hard to admit, nagkulang tayo sa pagtingin doon."

The first ECC was issued to the provincial government of Palawan, which is the proponent of CBDP, in 2007 for a 3-hectare coastal reclamation in Coron.

The provincial government was granted another ECC in 2009 for an additional reclamation of 48 hectares in the renowned tourist destination.

But based on DENR's investigation, the project lacked necessary permits such as an area clearance, the environment official earlier told TeleRadyo. It also did not operate for 5 years after the ECCs were released.

• DENR cancels ECC of Coron reclamation project

POSSIBLE CHARGES

DENR's assessment on the environmental damage in the area is currently underway, according to Leones.

He added that the department will not hesitate to file charges against the provincial government and individuals involved in the project. A local official earlier said there was no proper turnover of documents for the reclamation project, since this started from the previous provincial administration.

Video from PTV

"Ina-assess namin ang damage diyan sa coastal area, sa ecosystems ng sa ilalim ng tubig diyan at tinitiyak namin na under the Clean Water Act, tingnan natin kung may pananagutan sila, kung mayroon silang violations sa provisions ng mga batas na ito," Leones said.

"Tinitiyak namin na hindi lang administrative sanction ang ibibigay namin sa kanila pati criminal kung dapat silang kasuhan sa korte," he added.

It will be difficult to give another ECC to the provincial government if it applies to continue the reclamation, Leones said.

• Inter-agency task force para linisin ang Coron iminumungkahi

For the environment official, they must see accountability first.

"Kung mag-apply sila ng ECC diyan, kailangan makita muna natin yung kanilang liability... dapat panagutan nila 'yan. Pangalawa, baka mahirapan na tayo kasi baka may violation sila na ginawa," he said.

• Group calls on Duterte to create task force to rehabilitate Coron

A group of environment advocates has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to sign an executive order for the rehabilitation of Coron Bay.

A biophysical study conducted by marine biologist, Dr. Filipina Sotto, showed 27 percent of corals in impacted area are now dead while others are slowly dying from sedimentation.

Mangroves are also in danger of dying after being cut off from access to regular water supply, the study revealed.

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