OCARM-JPIC Say NO to Oil Extraction at Tanon Strait

Superior General Margarette Montegrejo, O.Carm OL and Melvin R. Kleine Koerkamp, Carmelite Associate- together with the justice and peace board of Siliman University and some Environmental NGO’s led the signing of a petition paper opposing the offshore exploration of the Tanon Strait. The Visayan Sea, especially the Tanon Strait was reported to have an abundance of untapped oil or gas resources.

In a forum at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, the petitioners voiced out opposition on the oil extraction project, which they feared would cause irreparable damage to the marine life and displace many smal

The position paper underscored that under Presidential decree 1234, the Tanon Strait is considered protected, being a migratory path and breeding ground of marine species from other countries.

The petitioners questioned why despite this prohibition, the DENR went ahead to issue an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) and Certificate of Non-Coverage, paving the way for Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd (JAPEX) and a Canadian company Forum Exploration Inc. (FEI) to begin the oil extraction in the strait.

Citing the case of the stalled spa project atop the crater of Taal Volcano, wherein the ECC was reviewed and scrapped for failure to comply with the proper procedures, the paper urged the government to do the same with the case of the Tanon Strait. The idea came following the admission of the Department of Energy that oil exploration was started without the knowledge of the Local Government Unit.

“It is only when there is public outrage and high media visibility that these agencies are forced to review the clearances that they issued” the paper continued.

Development for whom?

The signatories also added that only the Multi-National companies are benefiting much in the opening up of the country’s waters oil exploration. Citing figures from explorations between Bohol and Cebu, the paper said that in every $ 1,000 gross proceeds of the project, only $ 3.46 is going to the coffers of the local government, a small amount compared to the economic privileges that are being enjoyed by the transnational companies in the form of 100% repatriation of capital and profits, 6 years tax exemption on profits, 10 years tax exemption for export, tax exemptions for imports and other rights.

The petitioners challenged the government to look for more sustainable alternative that will not only reduce the nation’s dependency on oil but can spur development in bio-fuel and ethanol production, solar and wind power and other renewable energy sources.

For 50 years, the Carmelite Order has been actively involved in the struggle of the peasant and fisher folks in Negros. Its parishes were involved in basic Christian communities and sectoral organizing especially among sugar workers whose members became victims of the Escalante Massacre

fishers from their source of livelihood.

The petition paper entitled “At What Cost” criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR for favoring foreign investors instead of protecting the nation’s interest