DENR: No Korean construction of rest house in Taal

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office yesterday confirmed that the Korean firm that wants to put up a wellness spa at the crater of Taal Volcano has indeed conducted a survey in Taal.

But DENR regional executive director Eduardo Principe denied claims by the Samahan ng Mamamayan sa Lawa ng Taal (SAMATAAL) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) that the survey had been conducted at the crater. Principe clarified that the survey was done near the shoreline of Taal Lake.

“The residents claimed people from Jung Ang made a survey near the Tabla residential area near the shoreline but not at the crater,” said Principe, who immediately ordered an ocular inspection of the area yesterday.

“Pero wala pang construction na nangyayari doon (There is no construction going on),” he also said.

Meanwhile, DENR Region 4-A Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) director Alan Leuterio revealed that Jung Ang Interventure Corp. has yet to file for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for any construction or infrastructure in Taal Volcano.

Earlier, the Korean firm’s ECC for the construction of a spa in the volcano was cancelled by former DENR secretary Angelo Reyes due to Jung Ang’s failure to meet the deadline set by government for compliance with conditions set in its environment permit.

The aborted Taal Island Spa Resort project will supposedly include a wellness spa, exhibit hall, cart path, and two electricity-powered elevators that would take tourists from the volcano’s main crater down to the lake.

“For now, we can say that no violation has been committed because there is no construction there yet and the people own land titles there,” Principe said.

Principe lashed out at Resting Dimayuga, president of SAMATAAL, saying he should stop spreading “false reports” and instead take action in the evacuation of residents in the area.

“Dimayuga should first ask the residents to leave the place because that is a danger zone in the first place, right? Why doesn’t he attend to that matter first?” Principe said.

Last Aug. 17, Dimayuga claimed, workers of Jung Ang Interventure started surveying the crater and already made measurements for the supposed construction of a rest house.