MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo

A petition blocking the conduct of an oil seismic exploration in the Bohol Strait was finally filed yesterday at the Regional Trial Court led by City Mayor Dan Lim and 30 other petitioners representing non- government organizations (NGOs), fisherfolks and local government units.

The petition was for certiorari, prohibition, injunction with prayer for preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order and ex-parte temporary restraining order.

Filed by lawyers Raul Barbarona, Doni Piquero, Florendo Columnas and Danilo Bantugan, as counsels for the petitioners, the petition named Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-VII OIC regional director Allan Arranguez, Department of Energy (DoE) Sec. Rafael Lotilla and NorAsain Energy Ltd. Chairman Rufino Bomasang, as respondents.

The petition stated that the conduct of seismic surveys in the Bohol Strait will cause "irreparable harm" to marine life as proven by different studies.

Several scientific studies were presented by the petitioners regarding the effects of seismic airguns' blasts on different species of fish that were exposed.

NorAsian's project description also incomplete, according to the petitioners as it failed to mention the effects of the seismic survey to fishes that are affected by sounds less than 100 decibels.

The project proponents (respondents) also failed to comply with PD 1585, securing an Environmental Impact Statement, and other environmental laws which the DENR and DoE are mandated to enforce and observe, the petitioners said.

Petitioners also cited that the DoE is mandated to formulate policies consistent on environmental protection and conservation and maintenance of ecological balance.

NorAsian and the DoE, the oppositors said, did not provide enough time for consultations with stakeholders to fully address concerns and issues raised.(The Bohol Chronicle, June 20, 2007)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=1515.0

dapat lang nga dili tugotan ang oil exploration activities within municipal waters in bohol. to begin with, the philippines if ever oil will be found within our waters, will not experience a dramatic decrease of domestic oil prices. this is because the foreign oil companies that will do oil extraction will be selling whatever is taken from philippine territory at world market prices even when selling it to the philippines. this is how the foreign oil company and the philippines have agreed upon regarding oil in palawan. so, wa lang gihapoy hinungdan if they find oil in bohol or any other philippine area for that matter. the destruction of such activities to marine life is certainly not worth it.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=1515.0