Koreans now building rest house in Taal
They’re back.
Resting Dimayuga, president of Samahan ng Mamamayan sa Lawa ng Taal (SAMATAAL), said workers of Jung Ang Interventure Corp. returned to
“We asked (Talisay) Mayor Florencio Manimtim why Jung Ang is again going to build structures at the volcano and he angrily replied that the Koreans have already bought the land and they cannot be stopped,” Dimayuga said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) canceled the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued to Jung Ang less than two months ago after it failed to meet the deadline set by the government for complying with the conditions set in its permit to construct a resort.
Dimayuga warned that if the construction of the rest house would proceed, it could be a prelude to the construction of more structures and the displacement of people from the area.
He also noted the danger posed by the construction of the rest house to the lives of the people living near the volcano.
“This move of the Koreans and the mayor completely disregards the decision of the people of Batangas, the provincial government and the DENR. They just waited for the issue to die down before acting dubiously against us. They are really testing the resolve of the people to fight,” Dimayuga stressed.
For his part, Rafael Mariano, chairman of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said he believes that “some high government officials” could be behind the latest actions of Jung Ang.
“Because they would not be as brazen if they have no powerful backers. This must immediately be looked into by Congress, so that this type of encroachment on Philippine soil will not happen again,” Mariano said.
Sought for comment, newly installed Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said they would look into the veracity of the report. He vowed, nevertheless, to enforce the law.
“As far as the spa is concerned, the ECC remains canceled,” the DENR chief said.
On July 5, former DENR secretary Angelo Reyes canceled the ECC that the DENR-Region 4-A issued to Jung Ang, which was then eyeing to put up a spa on the crater of the world’s smallest active volcano.
The DENR regional office issued the ECC for the spa project on
However, Reyes hinted that the Korean company could again apply for a new ECC if the firm will be transparent with its plans. He also said the decision to declare Taal Volcano off limits to businesses might be under the jurisdiction of the local government unit.
Reyes scored the Korean firm for being “less than transparent” in their ECC application for the spa project, which was envisioned to include a wellness spa, exhibit hall, cart path, and two electricity-powered elevators that would move tourists from the volcano’s main crater down to the lake.
Reyes, however, said that if the Korean company would apply for a new ECC “under the same set of conditions, chances are it will be denied.”
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