SENATORS Juan Miguel Zubiri and Loren Legarda
yesterday called for the investigation of South Korean
shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Ltd.'s
alleged invasion of the Subic rainforest.
Zubiri called for the dismissal of officials
of the Subic Bay Management Authority and the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources who allowed the destruction of
the rainforest to make way for the $20-million Hanjin hotel.
Legarda is filing today a resolution seeking
an investigation of the project. "This is a very grave
allegation that we cannot just sweep under the rug," she said.
Malacañang, through Executive Order 701
issued last Jan. 22, has directed all heads of departments,
bureaus, offices, agencies of the government to support the
investments projects of Hanjin, citing the Korean firm's plan to
invest some $3.6 billion (about P150 billion) in two
shipbuilding and repair facilities, one at the Subic Freeport
Zone ($1.6 billion) and the other at the Phividec Industrial
Estate ($2 billion). The two projects are expected to generate
50,000 new jobs, the presidential directive said.
"If you have investment projects this large,
there are bound to be issues. We will look into these issues,
and ascertain whether the projects are in full compliance with
environmental protection laws, among other statutes," Legarda
said.
Zubiri stressed that Subic is a precious
habitat and natural resource and not a mere piece of expensive
real estate for a hotel or for expats' housing. "These
$20-million two-tower concrete blocks are shot with
environmental violations. First, they cut off trees from a
long-standing forest. Next, this encroachment threatens the
health of the Subic watershed system serving our brother
Filipinos living outside the gates in Olongapo City, not just
the economic zone. Destruction to habitat and threat to
biodiversity are also clear. They have overstepped their
authority and should be investigated," he said.
"It's so ironic. Before the Americans left,
we Filipinos were crying foul because of the toxic legacy they
dumped into the bay and some of its hills. The toxic legacy had
killed and caused many to be sick. Now, here we are regaining
control of this valuable territory, but shamelessly giving
foreigners the license to destroy it," he said.
Zubiri said Olongapo's old water source, the Sta. Rita river,
was destroyed and contaminated by this same type of activities
that "started with wanton cutting of trees to make way for
various constructions." - JP Lopez
