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At
least 10 congressmen from Central Visayas and party-list groups
signed a resolution asking for an inquiry into the effects
of the oil seismic survey and future drilling at the Bohol-Cebu
Strait.
However,
Boholano solons Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Jala
did not sign the resolution.
House
Resolution 212 was jointly filed by administration congressmen
Eduardo Gullas (Cebu 1st Dist., KAMPI), Benhur Salimbangon
(Cebu 4th Dist., KAMPI), Antonio Cuenco, (Cebu City 2nd Dist.,
LAKAS), Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong, Negros Oriental (1st Dist.,
LAKAS-CMD), George Arnaiz, (Negros Oriental 2nd Dist., NPC),
and Henry Teves (Negros Oriental (3rd Dist., LAKAS) along
militant lawmakers Luzviminda Ilagan and Liza Maza of Gabriela,
Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis and Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna.
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The
resolution directs the House committee on natural resources
to immediately probe the impact of offshore mining in
the protected seascapes of the Bohol-Cebu Strait and
the Visayan Sea which is identified as one of the world's
riches marine biodiversity area.
In
a press statement, Rep. Casiño said, "This
is an effort by a diverse set of political species in
the House. We are very much heartened that the six administration
solons have seen it fit to jointly file Resolution 212.
This is a major issue of our Visayan compatriots that
must be immediately investigated."
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The
Visayan Sea is surrounded by the island provinces of Bohol,
Cebu, Negros and Panay.
Oil
and gas drilling activity in the Bohol-Cebu seas cover an
area of 444,000 hectares of marine waters.
This
will be undertaken by Australia based Otto Energy Ltd. which
is now raising some $12-million for this contract after finding
that over 270 million barrels of recoverable oil is available
in the area.
Reports
from Otto Energy's website bared that they were given until
2009 to drill its first oil wells at the Bohol and Cebu seas.
The
oil and gas exploration activities in the Cebu-Bohol Strait
have met strong opposition from small fisherfolk, local government
officials, beach owners and environmental groups who fear
long-term, adverse effects on the lives and livelihood of
the common people in the fishing villages of the area, according
to Casiño.
He
said "an immediate full-blown House inquiry" is
needed "in the name of public interest, environmental
protection and social justice."
The
press statement said the solons are concerned of the 34 service
contracts for offshore mining in environmentally critical
waters of the Visayan Sea that includes the Tañon Strait.
"International
marine experts consider the Philippines the 'epicenter of
the richest marine biodiversity in the world' with the 'highest
diversity and endemism of organisms found in the Visayan Sea
particularly in the waters off the coasts of Cebu, Bohol and
Negros,' Casiño said.
Oil
drilling near Cabilao Island will greatly affect marine protected
areas and rich fishing grounds declared as environmentally
fragile by the government, Casiño added.
"WHERE
ARE THE BOHOLANO SOLONS?"
Meanwhile,
fisherfolk group leader Vince Cinches is asking why the three
Bohol congressmen did not show interest in the House resolution.
In
an interview with the Chronicle, Cinches said, "fishermen
from the towns of Loon, Maribojoc, Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran
and many fish vendors had already expressed their opposition
to the oil drilling."
In
fact, there were several protests from local NGOs and even
LGUs to show the strong opposition, he said.
"But
this may not be enough to be heard by our Boholano solons,"
Cinches said, "that they did not share the concerns of
other Visayan solons and party list representatives as to
the impact of the exploration to the environment and to the
livelihood of the people is highly questionable."
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