BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that the “Capitol will always act accordingly,” in response to the call of Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and environmentalist groups for the Sangguniang Panlalalawigan to revoke their issued RONO (Resolution Of No Objection) to the proposed 300-megawatt (MW) Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Combined Cycle Power Plant in San Carlos City.
Lacson said he already asked the Provincial Legal Office to study the side of the San Carlos City bishop and environmentalist groups.
Alminaza and various environmentalist groups maintain that the resolution of non-objection from the SP “is premature, invalid, and is not representative of the multiple stakeholders from San Carlos who openly objected against the LNG project during the public scoping.”
He claimed that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project is “still under preparation” by the proponent, and that Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 22-018 states that local government units (LGUs) cannot issue a Letter of No Objection without an EIA, therefore deeming the non-objection invalid.
“We appeal to board members of the SP to adhere to their duty in protecting the interests of our people and the health of our environment,” Alminaza said.
Asked whether he is personally in favor of the proposed LNG project of the San Miguel Corporation in San Carlos City, Lacson, who previously served as its city mayor for nine years, replied “I am open to investment.”*
