‘No ecological risk at Semirara’

Even as Malacañang has trashed the planned sanitary landfill on Semirara Island in Antique, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonio Cerilles insisted it poses no environmental risk to the biodiversity and other natural resources within and around the proposed site.

Cerilles said there is no environmental risk involved "as long as the approved environmental management plan submitted by the project proponents are strictly observed."

He cited the fact that the government granted a mining permit to Semirara Coal Corp. to extract coal resources in the area several years ago.

He said this showed that there were no species of flora and fauna endangered there, nor any other perceived negative effect on the environment.

The exact site of the proposed interim project will reportedly be a portion of the soil disposal area of the Panian pit of the Semirara Coal Corp.

Meanwhile, Cerilles directed DMCI Holdings and RII Builders, proponents of the Semirara interim sanitary landfill project, to immediately form a multisectoral monitoring team and set up a replenishable environmental monitoring fund to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

Cerilles made the directive in view of the public outcry against the proposed sanitary landfill for Metro Manila’s garbage and to ensure the continued existence of biodiversity in Semirara.

The multisectoral monitoring team will be composed of representatives from the local government units, the Metro Manila Development Authority, the department’s regional offices and the host-community.

The team will monitor the proponents’ compliance with the approved environmental management plan.

Cerilles said the P1-million environmental monitoring fund will be replenished to cover expenses attendant to the operations and activities of the multisectoral team and regular monitoring activities of the department’s Environmental Management Bureau.

Aside from this, the project proponents will also set up a replenishable environmental guarantee fund with an initial amount of P10 million to cover expenses for the restoration and rehabilitation of adversely affected areas and compensation for damages to life, public health and property.