MikeLigalig.com

By Romy Teruel
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

The absence of our three Congressmen in the list of Administration and Party-List Members of the House of Representatives who signed Resolution No. 212 calling for Congressional inquiry on the effects of the seismic survey for oil exploration in the waters of Bohol and Cebu has puzzled not just a few Boholanos, to include the Agora.

The affected population, especially the fishermen, marched the streets and picketed the provincial capitol to convey their sentiments when M/V Pacific was poised to undertake the seismic survey that would deprive them of a few days of income and perhaps destroy marine life in the area and their livelihood permanently.

In fact Gov. Erico B. Aumenado had to organize a task force that would study the effects, either temporary or permanent, of the undertaking to the environment if only to show where his heart belongs.

The Boholanos expected that the least the three Boholano Congressmen could have done, to show that they have the welfare and interest of the people in their heart and mind, is to join their colleagues from the Visayas.. After all, that is the reason why they are called Representatives because they are supposed to represent the sentiments of their people in the halls of the Lower House.

Or they could have gone to the press to explain why they did not join their colleagues. At least we would know where they stand.

The inquiry would clear the issue once and for all. Then we would know whether we will continue to oppose it if the undertaking will cause permanent damage to the environment especially if it can be determined up to what extent it would be harmful to the environment. Or that we will allow it to continue if the damage is minimal and can be mitigated especially if the Province and the people will benefit from it.

There is nothing wrong or objectionable in House Resolution No. 212. The signatures of Members of Congress (Party-List) rumored to front for the local communist movement, does not make the motive of passing the resolution questionable. So why did our Congressmen shy away from it?

If the inquiry will answer many unanswered questions and doubts in the minds of our concerned agencies and affected population, why not support it? The issue is not drawn on political lines; the signatories to the resolution should not also require political alignments.

We laud the Cebu Congressmen for standing up for the sentiments of their constituents. Sadly for Bohol, we don't see that from our own Representatives. Or may be I just missed their statements and their explanations to the media.

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