DESTROYING ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM

Governor Erico Aumentado, not given to panic fits, had no choice.

He had to write a frantic letter to DENR Bossman Lito Atienza that the unceremonious opening of the San Jose drainage outfall cascaded "coliform contaminations, toxic and other deleterious pollutants that would imperil the Tagbilaran Bay and Maribojoc Bay marine ecosystem in the long run."

This was based on scientific proof from the water lab test from the imminent University of San Carlos of Cebu, a university renowned for "Chemistry" (the major) proficiency which spotted 2,000 colonies/100 ml (described almost too numerous to count) and revalidated by similar findings from the Provincial Health Department of 2,400 colonies/100 ml.

Aside from that, long outfall usage would pose health and safety problems.

"An environmental disaster waiting for its time to happen" is how Gov. Rico describes the San Jose outfall consequence. Quite apart from that, this destroys the fabled Tourism industry of Bohol because it undoubtedly pollutes Tagbilaran Bay and the famous Panglao resort beach lines fronting the city as well as all the way to Maribojoc Bay.

Certain to be likewise damaged environmentally would be the breakwaters of the Bohol Tropics Resort Club (meters away from the outfall) - the site of many national and international confabs. Just across is the Tagbilaran City Port (a tourist spot by itself) (maybe) soon to display polluted, brownish water if the Engineering Genius behind the San Jose opening is not stopped by the DENR.

With dispatch Atienza commanded two teams from DENR Manila and Cebu to investigate the environmental and tourist hazard. It might also be instructive for Chairman (Solidarity for Asia) Jesus Estanislao, a man of deep probity and integrity, to send a team as well to find out if this city they once dubbed as "Eco-Tourism Cultural Hub" deserves the title.

It is good to have titles - like that of boxer Manny Pacquiao - but not the dubious ones.

The City Mayor promised to construct a drainage outfall simultaneous to the DPWH drainage construction along CPG Avenue. He reneged on his promise. The City Mayor promised to cut the illegal connections after thirty days of voluntary disconnection. He balked on his promise. The City Mayor promised the Governor he will act if the DPWH will "turn over" the drainage project to City Hall. He failed his promise.

Instead he opened the San Jose outfall without permission from DENR and not informing the Governor who he requested for a turnover letter from DPWH.

That is why we have a very "Promising" Mayor in our midst. At least Boom Boom Bautista, the boxer, shows real "promise" despite his recent boxing debacle. Which only proves that the word "promising" in this land has more than just one meaning.

We are confident the DENR will render sound judgment on this issue. Barring that, the environmentalist groups should coordinate with regional and national counter-parts and wage war against this "nutty" game
plan of playing exterminator of our environment and tourism in one sweep.

FIGHT THE CITY HALL "STONEWALLING"

In aid of legislation and in the name of transparency, the Minority City Kagawads led by Vice Mayor Jose Veloso, are right in demanding for the people's right to know on the P6.5-million unliquidated advances of City Hall officers and personnel as December 2007 per COA Report.

In a survey over "Radyo Merkado" over Station DYRD, all 28 respondents strongly stated that the City Hall auditing and accounting departments should not "stonewall" queries relating to the transparency in the use of government funds. Ninety-four percent likewise said proper charges should be filed against those who "obstruct justice" in the process of ferreting the truth and those involved in the unliquidated P6.5 million.

Majority of the Tagbilaranons and the side of truth appear to be with them on this issue.

Vice Mayor Veloso might want to consider taking the bluff-challenge of the City Auditor to take the issue to the courts. The 2007 COA Report (a public document) clearly stated there were many violations of the law committed by City Hall. Isn't it then logical that cases be filed at the Sandiganbayan?

There is legal luminary former OIC Governor Victor de la Serna (formerly a close ally of the City Mayor) who is willing to take the bull by the horns in response to the public's clamor of transparency in the use of public funds. There could be others besides - lawyers and researchers, alike.

We welcome this development to bring this issue that plagues City Hall into the open where two courts - the legal and the public opinion - will render judgment who the culprits are - and what their punishment should be.

But perhaps the most idiotic statement of the week has to be that of the City Auditor's Office who said they will no longer entertain queries (of this nature) since the 2008 year is ending.

This is the first time we heard that the ends of justice and transparency has an expiry date. The last time we checked the Marcoses are still facing (even today) a string of cases filed years after they fled from EDSA I in 1986.

In short, this stonewalling by City Hall of legitimate issues should be stopped before it becomes a bad, incorrigible habit.

Expose P6.5M in cash advances at City Hall

The public clamors for the city accountant and city auditor to reveal the complete list of cash advances by city officials and employees amounting P6.5 million that remain unliquidated as exposed in the 2007 Commission on Audit Report.

This as city accountant Kurt Bungabong and city auditor Teresita Irig rejected the request of Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso to release the details of the unliquidated cash advances.

In a radio survey over “Radyo Merkado” of Station dyRD yesterday, a resounding 100% of the respondents expressed disapproval on the refusal of both city officials to release the list containing the personalities involved in the P6.5-million unliquidated cash advances as confirmed in the 2007 COA Report.

In said COA Report, it is only this "unliquidated cash advances" that did not have supporting document while the rest of the issues raised by the commission was backed up by supporting documents in the appendix section of the COA report, acccording to City Kagawad Djingo Rama who delivered a privilege speech
regarding the points raised in the audit report.

The respondents said that the people of Tagbilaran deserve to be enlightened and clarified on how taxpayers’ money entrusted to the city government is being administered.

On Tuesday, Veloso asked for the city accountant and the city auditor to be provided with the complete list of unliquidated cash advances as of December 31, 2007 as reported by the City Accounting Office.

The list, Veloso said, was not included in the 2007 COA report which should have been part of the responsibility of the COA “to keep the general accounts of the government and to preserve the vouchers and other supporting papers pertaining thereto.”

Veloso likewise requested Irig to provide documents regarding certain “exceptions” cited in the audit report, whether these “exceptions” have already been complied or settled and which of those that have not yet been complied and the reason for the non-compliance.

Instead of releasing the supporting document on the unliquidated advances as formally requested by the vice mayor, Irig only replied with an "endorsement" of Veloso's request forwarded to the office of the city mayor without acting on the same.

The written endorsement of Irig briefly stated that the findings and corresponding recommendations stated in the COA report is “for implementation” of the executive department.

"I'm just wondering why the city auditor seems to keep this list when she has a copy being the auditor, Veloso questioned when interviewed after Friday's session.

The vice mayor said he will formalize his complaint against the city auditor and city accoutant for their inaction on said request for public transparency.

SCRAP OF PAPER

A report of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on appropriations was presented for approval during last Friday’s session but was questioned by Kag. Rama.

The committee report sought to archive Rama’s privilege speech that raised the questionable items of the COA report in favor of the update on the implementation of audit recommendations issued by the city accountant.

Rama said the committee report is a “mere scrap of paper” since it did not address the specific issues raised in his privilege speech.

“The COA and city accountant must coordinate to submit any papers or documents relevant to justify their comments,” Rama said referring to the committee report which was not supported by official records.

According to Rama, if indeed the cash advances are “moving accounts”, then the city accountant and city auditor should be able to furnish a list of unliquidated cash advances by officials and employees as of December 31, 2007 including the aging of the latest cash advances.

DE LA SERNA COMMENTS

Former OIC Gov. Victor de la Serna who made the first attempt to scrutinize the fund administration at city hall strongly questioned the actuations of the city auditor and accountant, when interviewed during yesterday's "Radyo Merkado" over dyRD.

"It was improper for the auditor and the accountant to deprive the vice mayor on the copy of said documents showing the unliquidated cash advances," de la Serna stressed, while he challenged Vice Mayor Veloso to pursue his quest to further expose this financial issue based on the COA report.

"Since they are paid to protect the interest of the people's money, then they should take legal action against those who obstruct transparency in governance," de la Serna asserted.

He recalled that when he attempted to dig up financial records at city hall, he was given the same cold and embarrassing treatment at the city hall. Asked what prevented him to take legal action, de la Serna said it would be far beyond his duty being a private citizen.

"Now that the vice mayor and the city minority bloc were deprived of basic legal documents, then, they should file charges against these people," de la Serna concluded.

Tarsier stressed, bleeding

Bleeding through its legs and clinging to a tree, a tarsier in one of the caged tourist viewing sites in Loboc, looked stressed and lonely.

The wounded tarsier, found to have an infection that led to the bleeding, just stared at passing tourists without a single movement.

Although it is rare to hear reports of injured tarsiers, provincial lawmakers are already pushing for an immediate regulation in issuing permits to private individuals and entities displaying tarsiers away from their natural habitat.

Scientific studies have pointed to the finding that tarsiers do not cope well in captivity. There have been reported cases where caged tarsiers inflict harm on itself, to the point of death, due to the stress caused by their confinement.

A joint committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) – the committees on environment and tourism – is presently reviewing national and local laws for the protection and preservation of the tarsiers.

“Tarsiers should not be taken away from their natural habitat,” says Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II, who co-chairs the joint committee together with Board Member Corazon Galbreath.

The alarm was issued after the Loay river cruise recently got its permit from DENR regional offices in Cebu City, by-passing the local DENR in the province.

The Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chaired by Peter Dejaresco passed a resolution during its execom meeting last Monday demanding an explanation from DENR Reg'l Director Leonardo Sibbaluca why such permit was issued to the new tarsier display site.

Director Sibauca, who attended the meeting of the Panglao Island Tourism Estate (PITE) in Loboc last Friday, assured an investigation which might lead to the revocation of said permit since it did not pass the local DENR offices,.

The lawmakers equally agree that there should be an immediate regulation of giving permits to display the tarsier, which has become a signature mascot in promoting Philippine tourism.

The tarsiers are said to be endemic species found in the towns of Corella, Loboc, Sevilla and Bilar.

Starting this week, the joint committee will conduct hearings together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), tourism industry stakeholders and representatives of the local government units.

Business establishments, especially those that are tourism related, have proliferated due to the issuance of permits by the DENR. The primates can now be viewed by tourists in the towns of Panglao, Loay, Albur, Anda and Sagbayan. These towns are not considered as “natural habitat” of the tarsiers.

“Some permitees are collecting the tarsiers to be displayed as an additional attraction in areas that are frequently visited by tourists,” Damalerio said.

The DENR has announced that they have already conducted an inventory of the world famous tarsiers although authorities are still worried to note that the primates are increasingly traded and brought outside the province.

It was former Pres. Fidel Ramos who declared the small primates as specially protected faunal species under Proclamation No. 1030 in 1997.

The hunting, killing, wounding and taking in possession of the tarsiers was prohibited under the law which directed the DENR to establish “appropriate sanctuaries” to preserve the species.

In 2001, Republic Act No. 9174 or the wildlife conservation law included the protection and conservation of the tarsiers and its habitat as part of Philippine heritage.

Possession of wildlife, such as the tarsier, is not allowed unless a person or entity can prove financial and technical capability and the facility to maintain its existence.

Moreover, the breeding or propagation of wildlife resources for commercial purposes can only be allowed by the DENR through the issuance of a wildlife farm culture permit.

Commercial breeding of wildlife is also subject to an environmental impact study, the law states..

NEW HOME

In 1996, the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc. was founded which acquired a 170 hectare sanctuary for the species.

The foundation was granted gratuitous permit to collect tarsiers for research and breeding. The gratuitous permit also provided a quota for breeding and the species remain the property of the Philippine government.

Recently, through the assistance of Rep. Edgar Chatto of the first district, the tarsier sanctuary undergoes improvement of facilities, including the landscaping with an allocation of P1.5 million from the Philippine Tourism Authority.

The congressman has also been credited for securing a yearly P5 million allocation in the annual budget for the tarsier preservation program coursed thru the Department of Environment and Natural Resources..

The sanctuary development has boosted the campaign to view the endangered specie right in its natural habitat.

Guv to DENR: "Close outfall"

Gov. Erico Aumentado demanded the closure of the San Jose drainage outfall amid an "environmental disaster waiting to happen if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will not act accordingly.

This was contained in a strongly worded letter of the governor to DENR Sec. Jose "Lito" L. Atienza, Jr. following laboratory tests which showed coliform contamination and toxic and deleterious pollutants coming from the drainage outfall which was ordered open by the city mayor last Nov. 6.

The governor earnestly appealed to Sec. Atienza to close the outfall and open it only during heavy rains to prevent flooding along CPG North Ave., but immediately close the outfall thereafter.

"This is the recommendation of PENRO Nestor Canda," the governor said after Sec. Atienza asked for an investigation and recommendation on the impending environmental problem in the city.

He likewise asked Sec. Atienza for "DENR to order the implementation of cutting of alleged illegal connections while waiting for the Tagbilaran City waste water treatment facility to be operational." However, he said that those disconnected from the drainage system must be allowed to reconnect and pay the drainage and sewerage service that the city may impose to recoup the cost of setting up the facility.

Sec. Atienza acted swiftly on the governor's request in his bid to save the seawaters fronting the Tagbilaran City Port which is the country's first "tourist port" declared by the Philippine Ports Authority.

Dispatched by Sec.Atienza is a team from the EMB-Central Office led by Engr Esperanza Sajul, chief, monitoring section and another team from EMB-Central Visayas office led by Atty. Fernando Alberca.

Findings of both teams will be submitted to the DENR secretary tomorrow.

DENR authorities were alarmed that coliform are "too numerous to be counted (2,000 colonies/100 ml) as shown in the lab test of the University of San Carlos Water Laboratory test and another test of the Provincial Health Office which showed 2,400 colonies per 100 ml.

The governor stressed the situation, if allowed to continue, will pollute undoubtedly the Tagbilaran Bay and the beach lines of Panglao island facing Tagbilaran and Maribojoc Bay, the resorts along the city's shorelines, particularly the Bohol Tropics Resort Club which is the venue of national and international gatherings.

The marine ecosystem in the city and Maribojoc Bay which are the sources of livelihood for marginal fishermen will face tremendous destruction unless this grave public nuisance shall be abated, the governor stressed in his letter to the DENR secretary.

He quoted Prov’l. Heath Officer, Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot and Renato Villaber, head of the Bohol Environment Office as stating in their respective reports that the "results on the fecal and coliform counts which are way above acceptable standards" will definitely pose danger to the health and safety of constituents.

SITUATIONER UPDATE

A check made yesterday afternoon at the San Jose outfall showed that the flow of "odorous and polluted" water continuously flows at 5-8 kph while the width of the gushing water reached to 50 cms, but following heavy downpour as checked last Nov. 15 (14 days ago) the volume even doubled, according to international ship captain Jun Mendez.

During his spot check at the outfall yesterday, he recorded the volume of water (from the drainage outfall) coming out to the seawaters at 1 drum per 15 minutes or 19,200 liters daily.

"This will be a major destruction and pollution to the marine ecosystem." he stressed.

The outfall is directly across the Tagbilaran City Port which is barely 520 meters and just a stone's throw away from the Bohol Tropics Resort Club.