Taal spa project exposes infirmities of environmental regulations

The botched proposal to construct a tourist spa in the mouth of Taal volcano is another example of how government regulations with respect to the environment are wantonly disregarded and violated. Even though its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) has been revoked, the DENR Secretary has come out to say the company can apply for one again.

Yet the very idea that a permanent structure was to be built right in the most dangerous part of the volcano should have given more than enough cause for alarm much earlier, had the DENR not been remiss in its oversight duties. Unless the project is abandoned altogether, the public must remain vigilant.

This again shows the infirmities of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) mechanism as a prerequisite to the implementation of development projects. As the first step towards securing an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) the EIA requires the free and prior informed consent of the local communities to be affected by a development project. It is a social safeguard provided for not only in the EIA law, but other statutes including the Mining Law, Indigenous People's Rights Act and the Local Government Code.

But the proposed Taal spa illustrates that the local community did not support the project and that it was railroaded by the local government unit. There is enough reason to make the LGU accountable for abuse of authority in this regard.

The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) believes the environmental compliance aspect of the Taal spa project should be an occasion to revisit the EIA system and the granting of ECCs to construction firms. It has been our experience with our communities affected by mining operations that more often than not, the granting of ECCs are highly susceptible to corruption and collusion, to the detriment of the host communities where development projects, including mining operations, are located.

The manner in which development projects are measured and assessed in relation to their effects on the environment must be reformed and stricter policies need to be put in place against development projects that seek to utilize the country's natural and mineral resources.

There has got to be a better way to promote development among the thirteen or so municipalities surrounding Taal without sacrificing the heritage of Taal volcano itself. The Taal spa, had it not been for the vigilance of the local residents, would have proceeded, to the detriment of Talisay and the local population. It is the same with the mining communities where informed consent is often twisted with false promises of economic prosperity in exchange for the violation of our patrimony and the exploitation of our environment.


Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)