Ecotourism project still on hold
DESPITE ECC CLEARANCE
LINGAYEN—All construction work at the planned ecotourism site located in Barangays Sabangan, Estanza and Malimpuec here in the capital town have been put on hold until the resolution of the case involving black sand mining allegations against the provincial government.
Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said there is currently no activity at the site in deference to the legal process.
“We have voluntarily stopped any activity there,” Baraan remarked, citing a case filed in the Office of the Ombudsman on alleged black sand mining.
“We still have to wait for the decision of the Court in order not to risk violating the law,” he added.
At the same time, Baraan reiterated the provincial government’s claim that there is no illegal black sand extraction at the site, and the case is merely a “fiction story” fabricated by political rivals.
In November 2012, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Carlos Tayag already clarified that in case the provincial government did extract and even sold black sand, there is “no violation of mining law”.
The black sand or magnetite had to be extracted to give way to turf grass and other vegetation for the planned 18-hole golf course and other developments in the area, Tayag added.
ECC READY
The proposed ecotourism project was already issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) last January 4, 2012 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The ECC covers amenities of the 38-hectare 18-hole golf course, tee mounds, tee houses, driving range, fairways, lagoons, road network, car paths and gutter, clubhouse, caddy house, maintenance and nursery areas.
Governor Amado Espino Jr. previously said a number of foreign investors are keen to have their businesses set up in the ecozone in partnership with the provincial government.
A special team of local management planners are now reviewing business proposals.
The project was included in the medium-term provincial development and physical framework plan (PDFP) and provincial development investment program (PDIP) for 2010-2015, Baraan noted.–Johanne R. Macob
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