Negros eyeing tag as new renewable energy capital

Negros Oriental is set to talk to Enviroment Secretary Ramon Paje on April 6 over issues involving the alleged environmental violations of Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) geothermal project in Mt. Talinis Range.

The green groups filed an official complaint recently at the Central Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) opposing EDC’s 60-megawatt expansion and their environmental violations.

"This mountain is not only home to rich biodiversity of flora and fauna with high endemism but it is also our identified watershed providing water to about 15 municipalities and cities in the southern part of Negros Oriental," said Save Mount Talinis Movement representative Aidalyn Arabe.

"Mt. Talinis is the remaining one percent natural forest of Negros Oriental, our last frontier," he added.

Lawyer Joel Obar, of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers-Negros Oriental Chapter, said they are urging DENR to help them save the last remaining natural forest in the province.

"We have filed our appeal to invalidate the undemocratic and manipulated Public Hearing conducted last March 10, non-issuance of Environment Compliance Certificate, and investigate the cutting of 576 century old trees at the range of Mt Talinis," said Obar.

Mt. Talinis or Cuernos de Negros mountain range has been identified as a key biodiversity area (KBA) spanning 23,565 hectares covering the municipalities of San Jose, Sibulan, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, Amlan and Valencia.

It has been identified as one of the top on the list of conservation priority areas due to its high endemism and severity of threats.

“EDC’s geothermal expansion at the Mount Talinis Range is an example of a misplaced solution to climate change. It is compromising our watersheds, natural forests, including people’s lives and livelihood. We urge DENR to investigate the operations to validate the complaints presented," said Zeph Repollo of 350.org Pilipinas. Environmental groups file complaint vs geothermal expansion at Mt. Talinis