Provincial govt passes environment code to protect ecology

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IN a bid to further protect the province’s rich biodiversity, the provincial council of Romblon approved an Environment and Resources Code on February 11, laying down policies against destructive industries.

The provincial code aims to pass measures that will protect and conserve its environment and natural resources, specifically on destructive industries such as mining and logging.

Romblon Gov. Eduardo Firmalo hailed the provincial code even as he affirmed staunchly the commitment of local residents to protect the environment.

“Finally, the Environment Code is passed! We are firm with our decision that Romblon is a special province, with beautiful resources that we should not forgo because of its promised development. As caretakers of our province, we agree that to protect the environment and natural resources is one of our important roles,” he said.

Romblon provincial board member Felix Ylagan, the principal author of the environment code, lauded the timely approval of the ordinance “to correct the errors made against the environment.”

"The people have spoken very clearly, let there be liberality, it has been said time and again to 'apply the law not by the letters that killeth but by the spirit that giveth life'; the legislation has far reaching benefits which will protect us now and those of our children's children," Ylagan said.

The Environment Code includes sections that prohibit mining activities on protected areas, as Sec. 64 on Mining specifically states:

“Mining shall not be allowed within one (1) kilometer radius from a declared watershed or watershed areas as identified by the municipality concerned; Mining shall not be allowed above watershed areas regardless of its distance from the declared watershed areas; Mining shall not be allowed in tourism and agricultural areas as identified by the municipality concerned; in areas identified by Presidential Executive Order No. 79, series of 2012; and in Section 19 of Republic Act 7942 as provided shall be applicable within the purview of Section 64 of this Code.”

The Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) led by Msgr. Ernie Fetalino of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Ronelio Fabriquer of the Philippine Independent Church also welcomed the approval of the provincial ordinance.

“Indeed the strong will of the people reigned after many years—it is the moral obligation of the Provincial Council to decide on the fate of the people towards a genuine environmental stewardship,” the group said in a statement.

REFAM further said that the approval of the environment code is a significant gift to Romblomanons as they commemorate on February 14 the province's biggest anti-mining rally held two years ago.

In reaction to the recent passage of the ordinance, the Sibuyan Islands Sentinels League for Environment (Sibuyan ISLE) also said, the legislation challenges local government units to integrate climate change action and disaster risk reduction management plans in their development programs.

“The path to sustainable development has been laid down and the decision-makers must implement programs which will not worsen the effects of the climate crisis—conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment are top priorities as well,” Sibuyan ISLE director Rodne Galicha, said.

Environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) welcomed too, the passage of the ordinance and encouraged more local governments to pass regulations to mining amid reported intimidation by some national government agencies to give favor to mining operations.

“We are pleased to find out that the provincial policy has been passed already, mainly because we believe that the local policy makers should take a stand and ensure that their environment is safe from critical industries. We congratulate the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Romblon,and the people for the strong political will!” Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of ATM said. (CBCPNews)