Church warns politicians

AUMENTADO, CERICOS, HERRERA, TIROL, CHATTO, DE LA SERNA, LIM, TORRALBA

The Catholic Church strongly warned candidates to lay down their agenda on how to protect the environment in this world re-known eco-tourism province.

The warning was contained in a church sponsored Candidates' Forum held last night in front of the St. Joseph's Cathedral which was covered live over radio dyRD and dyZD, member stations of the Catholic Media Network (CMN).

Bishop Leonardo Medroso commissioned the Social Action Center (SAC) of the Diocese to initiate the forum wherein eight candidates for governor, vice governor, congressman and city mayor were pressed to commit their programs on environmental protection.

Msgr. Medroso during an earlier interview told the Chronicle that there is "no compromise to destructions on Mother Earth" as he rallied Boholanos to involve themselves on how to protect nature which is God's gift to mankind.

The candidates were made to present their agenda pertaining to the environment and their stand on specific environmental issues raised by the audience and their fellow candidates.

One of the major breakthroughs in the forum was the signing of a covenant among the candidates to advocate for ecological preservation right after the forum.

MAYORALTY BETS

Fist to speak was Mayor Lim who emphasized in his speech that in making decisions for the city, he is always guided by three principles which are: never compromise the interest of the city, look after the general welfare and never compromise the environment.

The incumbent mayor cited that subdivisions in the city which have not complied with legal requirements also contribute to environmental problems.

Asked what is his main agenda to address air pollution, Lim said that although he has provided an extension for the complete phase out of 2-stroke engine motorcycles, its strict implementation will be carried out in the next 6 months when he is reelected.

For his part, former mayor Torralba stressed that it is every individual's duty to be faithful stewards to God-given natural resources as social and environmental problemswill also hinder development.

While the needs of the present generation has to be met, it should not compromise the needs of future generations, Torralba said.

He stressed that LGUs must improve their capability to manage its role in protecting the environment.

If elected once again as city mayor, Torralba assured that he will implement the anti smoke belching ordinance and construct a wastewater treatment facility for the city's drainage network.

CONGRESSIONAL BETS

Reelectionist congressman Edgar Chatto, on the other hand, bats for a balanced agro-industrial setting partnered with the eco-tourism industry, strengthening of environmental law enforcement, mandatory teaching of ecology in the primary schools and conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

The incumbent congressman said that the Bohol Environment Code needs to be revisited since Bohol is an island province, it has more fragile resources.

Chatto said that to achieve acontinuing reforestation program, incentives will be given to individuals who endeavor planting trees.

De la Serna, on the other hand, stressed that every individual is responsible for the protection of the environment. The public should not depend on the government to control the denudation of forests and mangroves, pollution of the shorelines, sand extraction and unchecked construction of beach resorts.

Sometimes the government is the greatest enemy of the people, de la Serna said.

Crafting laws and establishing offices charged with environmental management is not enough, he added, as it requires community involvement.

VICE GUBERNATORIAL BETS

Vice Gov. Herrera stressed the importance of ecological sustainability.

He recalled that, as former Calape mayor, he was able to implement the Costal Resource Management Program (CRMP). As a coastal town, Herrera wanted to share the Calape experience wherein, the municipal government was awarded among best practices in coastal management.

The vice governor also said there is a need to adopt a provincial tourism code for ecological and habitat protection in tourist areas.

He underscored the effects of mass tourism to ecology.

Meanwhile, Tirol said she is actively working for the revision of the Bohol Environment Code to make it attuned to the times.

She stressed that dependence of Bohol's economy on our ecosystem and environment should be considered in the review of the code.

GUBERNATORIAL BETS

Gov. Aumentado, for his part emphasized that Bohol is the only province in the country to be given the ISO 14001 certification for effectively implementing ecological, coastal and solid waste management laws.

The governor said that solid waste segregation should be taught in the primary schools.

When informed of a recent findings regarding the high lead/cadmium contamination at the Abatan River in Cortes and Maribojoc due to the presence of industrial wastes from the SIP, Aumentado demanded to see the report immediately so he could act on the matter.

On the other hand, Cericos said it is incumbent upon the present generation to nurture and respect our natural resources.

Most of our natural resources, he said, are irreplaceable and that they are just entrusted to us by future generations.

CLUSTER SANITARY LANDFILL

Rep. Chatto cited that he has informed Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) Gen. Manager Dean Barbers of the objections raised by a group of Albur residents on the proposed cluster sanitary landfill project in Albur town.

In his letter to Barbers, Chatto expressed the need for a thorough public consultation in order to consider the objections being raised by some residents on the project.

Chatto's move was backed by Gov. Aumentado, who said more study was needed on the clustered sanitary landfill.

Meanwhile, when asked about his stand on the issue, Mayor Lim stressed he is against the sanitary landfill right from the start. The mayor presented an alternative solution to the solid waste disposal problem of the city, since the present open dumpsite is already prohibited.

Lim said the city government has contracted the expertise of a German company who will build a recycling facility in barangay Taloto that will be jointly owned by the city.

Torralba, on the other hand, said that during his last term as mayor, a study was already conducted for the construction of a sanitary landfill. If he is reelected, he promised to pursue the project.

The forum was moderated by Rev. Fr. Joe Sumampong and Rev. Fr. Efren Bongay.

Other candidates of top positions will be given their chance to air their views on environmental issues when they will be guested at the daily radio program on voters' education aired over dyRD 4:30 to 5:00 pm, Fr. Sumampong said.