Heherzon Alvarez helps boost Negros watersheds, stop pollution
BY CARLA GOMEZ
Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez yesterday bared efforts to preserve and expand the watersheds of Negros Occidental, as well as moves taken to protect the environment.
Alvarez, who was in Bacolod yesterday, said the DENR is entering into a joint project with Bacolod to establish a cloning nursery for trees to expand the about 1,000 has. watershed of the city.
He said that, with a population of about 400,000 the current watershed of Bacolod City will not be able to hold enough water for the needs of the city.
With the cloning nursery, he hopes to be able to expand Bacolod's watershed by three times its current size, Alvarez said.
He said the DENR will infuse about P3 million into the project.
His office has also ensured the further protection of the forest by coming to an agreement with the Philippine National Oil Corp. not to enter the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park for geothermal exploration, Alvarez said.
They can drill for geothermal power beneath the forest horizontally without entering the buffer zone to cut trees, he said.
He stressed the importance of trees in the preservation of water supply and as carbon sinks. Each tree can hold 350 gallons of water, Alvarez said.
PNOC has committed to further strengthening the forest in Negros as it operates its geothermal plant in Mailum, Bago, he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Central Negros Power Cooperative's bid for him to reconsider the withdrawal of an Environment Compliance Certificate to build a coal-fired power plant in Pulupandan is still pending.
He said he will try to keep an open mind on it but said coal as a source of energy poses the danger of causing further global warming.
He stressed the need for the Philippines to contribute to the effort to put a stop to global warming.
On the problem of air pollution from the Maricalum Mining Corp. tailings pond in Sipalay, Alvarez said he has suggested that creeping vines be planted while a sprinkling system is put in place that will prevent dust pollution.
He said MMC president Teodoro Bernardino has promised to take action on the air pollution.
Asked if sanctions would be imposed on Bernardino if he fails to act on the problem, Alvarez asked, how do you go after a bankrupt firm?
Speaking on the environment at the University of St. La Salle yesterday, Alvarez bared the DENR focus on programs for poverty alleviation and creation of wealth.
"Our emphasis is on breaking the chain of poverty. We shall protect the environment and conserve our natural resources in ways that will reduce poverty," he said.*CPG
Alvarez… Andy Alvarez photo Alvarez who suggests creeping vines to curb air pollution in Sipalay, wants to know how one can go after a bankrupt firm like MMC.
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