Environment groups buck Batangas' tourism project

MANILA, Philippines - Environment groups joined the fray yesterday in opposing a plan to build a Hollywood-type signage on the slope of Taal Volcano “to highlight the beauty” of Batangas.

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto approved the plan, which has created negative reactions from citizens and various groups.

The actress-turned-governor signed a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, seeking to build giant letters on the slope of Taal, copying the iconic “Hollywood” sign in Los Angeles, California.

Vice Gov. Mark Leviste said the plan was to put a 14-meter high by 36-meter wide letters of “Batangas” on the slope of the scenic volcano.

But the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE) said “it’s a dangerous act.” 

Clemente Bautista, KPNE national coordinator, said the project would endanger not only workers tasked to put up the signage but also the community around the island.

“Taal is an active volcano, just imagine the workers and the tourists around it when it suddenly erupts,” Bautista told The STAR.

Bautista said the plan needs a thorough study on the environmental impact before pushing through with the project.

“If governor Vi’s purpose is to highlight the beauty of Batangas, she should declare first a moratorium on large scale mining in Batangas.”

Bukluran Para sa Inang Kalikasan of Batangas expressed the same sentiment, saying the project should undergo further study. 

Also, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) assailed the plan of the provincial government.

“To set the record straight the ‘Hollywoodization’ of Batangas with Taal Lake as the flagship project is designed to promote eco-tourism in Taal and all over Batangas to the detriment of small fisherfolk, poor farmers and inland environment all over the province,” Pamalakaya Information Officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said.

The environmental group Haribon has yet to study the issue since it was not aware of it, Liezel Gonzales of Haribon said.

But Santos-Recto said the public is “overreacting” to the proposal.

In a phone interview, Santos-Recto said the signage was just one of the suggestions made for the local government’s plan to enhance the province’s tourism program.

“People reacted to the news when there’s no final decision on that yet. Everything is still under study,” she told The STAR.

“There’s no budget for that yet. It’s just part of enhancing tourism program in Batangas. I hope they don’t overreact. We have no bad intention,” she said.

Reports of the proposed “Batangas” sign went viral on social media, drawing criticisms and mockery from netizens and even spawning a meme featuring different locations in the Philippines bearing oddly placed signs. – Arnell Ozaeta, Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva