EDC fills requirements for project expansion
The operation manager of Negros Island Geothermal business Unit of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Engineer Vicente Omandam, is continuously battling to overcome the requirements by Environmental Compliance Certificate for the expansion of projects for next year.
Mr. Vicente Omandam also said that the same Department of Environment & Natural Resources previously granted the EDC’s exemptions of the Executive Order No. 23, which declares a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests to create an anti-illegal logging task force.
He also said that Energy Development Corp. can never be inconsistent against existing policies of the company and the government. In fact, records shows that last year, EDC has planted around 400, 00 trees on 470 hectares of land in various parts of the Negros Island. This includes Valencia, Dauin, Zamboanguita, San Carlos, Calatrava, Salvador and Benedicto. This was all possible due to their launching of the 10M in 10 for Greener Negros project.
Engineer Omandam made it very clear that the trees that will be cut for development are very minimal compared to millions already planted by the Energy Development Corporation. Staying at his stand he continues to explain his ideas and thoughts.
According to former city prosecutor and member of the Rotary Club, Attorney Eliezer Escorial, while they are advocating and supporting the program, hitches had to be addressed including the opposition of groups calling themselves “Save Mt. Talinis and 350.org”, among others.
Attorney Escorial also said that the situation will compromise some agencies in government like the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, the enforcers, the prosecution and more importantly, the community.
