Stop road project in Romblon park’

MANILA, Philippines — An environmental group yesterday urged President Duterte to stop a road construction project at the Guiting-Guiting Natural Park on Sibuyan Island in Romblon.

Rodne Galicha, chairman of the Bayay Sibuyanon Inc., said the 3.8-kilometer road would destroy the natural flora and fauna of the park.

“Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park or known as #G2 has thick forests, which serve as carbon sink and protection against landslides and floods in the entire island,” Galicha said in a statement.

He said the project would affect watersheds providing water to a mini-hydro power plant, a source of renewable energy of residents.

Galicia said funds for the road project should instead be used to provide cash assistance for poor households affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

He said the government could also use the funds for unfinished infrastructure projects, such as the circumferential and farm to market roads as well as bridges and ports in Sibuyan.

Galicha said the Department of Public Works and Highways stopped clearing operations for the project in April 2018, but funds for the project was approved under this year’s national budget.