Press Release
June 28, 2007

Pia welcomes DENR suspension of Taal spa ECC;
credits local fisherfolk for exposing hazardous project

Senate environment committee chairperson Senator Pia S. Cayetano today lauded the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to suspend the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued for the establishment of a resort spa at the crater of Taal Volcano, the world's smallest active volcano and a declared protected area.

But she also acknowledged the local farmers and small fisherfolk in the area led by the Samahan ng mga Maralitang Mamamayan sa Palibot ng Lawa ng Taal (Samataal) for exposing the hazards posed by the project on human beings, local livelihoods and the environment.

"The project would have proceeded unnoticed if it were not for the vigilance of the local communities there. They deserve the real credit for bringing this issue to national attention. This led several government agencies to declare their opposition to the project, until the DENR finally decided to suspend the ECC for the Taal spa," she stressed.

Cayetano maintained that the issue should not end with the suspension of the ECC, saying there were still unresolved issues that could be looked into by Congress.

In her previous statements, Cayetano asked how private individuals were able to acquire land titles to Taal volcano, when it is supposed to be part of public domain.

She said the Taal spa issue also exposed how ecological balance is being threatened in many provinces across the country, including those that have been declared as protected areas.

"I'm not opposed to development projects and eco-tourism investments, but environmental safeguards should be strictly enforced, especially in projects that are located in protected zones. I support the call to have the spa project relocated to a safer site that is far from Taal's the permanent danger zone," she concluded.

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