By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol ChronicleAt 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.
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."
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.
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