Capitol to help residents on oil exploration woes

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday assured to help the residents of Barangay Monteller, Alegria on their problems regarding the ongoing oil exploration in the area.

“I will inform the mayor. Mas maayo i-reduce into writing para aksyunan sa province,” said Davide, adding that he would suggest that a committee must be formed to oversee the exploration activities.

Davide’s pronouncement came after Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba visited his office yesterday morning to raise the lack of transparency in the oil exploration, conducted by China International Petroleum Co. Limited since late August, which is expected to end three to four months after.

The company hopes to find oil and gas in Monteller for commercial use.

“As a provincial prosecutor, I also serve as a law enforcer, and as a resident, I feel we need more transparency so the LGU (local government unit) can properly manage and monitor the activities there,” Petralba said when interviewed by the media.

“There is exploration and the extraction. Wala pa ga-extract but you are exploring, you are already causing inconvenience to the people,” said Petralba.

She said she also wants to know what the company is planning to do in their area and what the town can get from “all the hassles.”

She said that based on her conversation with Mayor Verna Magallon, the town has no copy of the contract.

For now, Petralba said their barangay road is well-paved and asphalted, but she is afraid it will be destroyed with the ongoing exploration, which may result to accidents.

She said students riding motorcycles-for-hire use this road everyday and if this gets damaged, they may suffer. — (FREEMAN)