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VIP advocates urge FMJ to halt Batangas reclamation, too
By J.Lo
"Ongoing reclamation projects in VIP for construction of fossil gas projects result in turbid waters and make seagrasses, coral reefs, and marine fauna vulnerable to stressors," Protect VIP lead convenor Edwin Gariguez said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should also stop coastal reclamation activities in Batangas province for construction of liquefied natural gas terminals and power plants.
Coalition of groups advocating protection of Verde Island Passage urged FMJ to order Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review status of gas terminals around extremely rich but already fragile marine corridor, displacement of coastal communities, and destruction of marine habitats.
VIP contains highest concentration of marine life per unit area, making it center of marine shore fish diversity in the world. It encompassses coastlines of Batangas, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.
Protect VIP said marine corridor is at risk of hosting more than 20 gas facilities. Five of country's existing gas plants are located in Batangas City.
It warned expansion of fossil gas projects increases carbon emissions can alter pH level of seas and lead to potential ocean acidification.
Philippines is scaling up development of infrastructure that will support import of LNG in anticipation of depletion of Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.
Environment advocates and locals earlier sought for declaration of VIP as legislated protected area and guidelines that will designate parts of marine ecosystem as non-attainment areas under Clean Water Act following oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
FMJ announced suspension of all reclamation projects in Manila, except one which he did not specify. DENR later on clarified all 22 reclamation projects in the area are suspended pending government review of their environmental and social impacts.
For years, scientists and environmental advocates have stressed reclamation will disrupt coastal and marine ecosystems and exacerbate vulnerabilities faced by coastal communities.
"Manila Bay and Verde Island Passage are both important ecological hotspots and fishing grounds," Gariguez said.
Influx of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Batangas increases possibility of another oil spill threatening extremely rich but already fragile VIP, environment advocates warned as they called on government to strengthen protection afforded to marine corridor.
Authorities are scrambling to contain oil spilling from sunken MT Princess Empress off coast of Oriental Mindoro, disrupting way of life of local communities and threatening area's marine biodiversity.
"From an interconnectivity approach, where ecosystems depend on each other, impacts that are being felt in Oriental Mindoro can greatly affect ecosystems across Verde Island Passage…if these areas across VIP were to be damaged by extensive impacts of oil spills, fisheries in other areas will feel impacts as well," said Ivan Andres, Center for Energy, Environment and Development's (CEED) Oceans, Coastal Communities, and Climate Program Lead.
Oriental Mindoro is one of five provinces surrounding VIP, one of most biodiverse marine habitats in the world. It is home to over 1,700 fish species, 300 coral species and 36 marine protected areas.
But country's gas expansion is seen to exacerbate threats faced by VIP. Five of country's existing gas plants are found in Batangas City, while one is in Cebu. Batangas is also site of eight proposed gas plants and seven planned LNG terminals.
"As government continues to embrace fossil gas as solution to energy crisis, more and bigger vessels transporting liquefied natural gas will ply VIP area," CEED executive director Gerry Arances told media.
According to 2022 study by CEED, transportation of fossil gas will increase risks of water pollution, underwater noise pollution, sedimentation, grounding of reefs, ship strikes and damage to smaller vessels.
Gariguez warned more shipping vessels pass through marine corridor, higher chances another oil spill will occur.
"How many more ships need to be sunk for government to see it's too much?" Gariguez told media.
Philippines is scaling up development of infrastructure that will support import of LNG in anticipation of depletion of Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.
Department of Energy is aiming to transform country into leading LNG hub in Asia.
In his first State of the Nation Address, FMJ. called on Congress to enact law seeking to foster midstream natural gas industry "by diversifying country's primary sources of energy and promoting role of natural gas as complementary fuel to variable renewable energy."
Natural gas has been pitched as "bridge fuel" can help shift to low-carbon economy. Climate and energy campaigners, noted fossil gas produces potent greenhouse gas methane, blocks transition to cleaner and cheaper sources of energy, and threatens host communities.
"Fossil gas industry is ticking bomb in terms of environmental destruction it can bring and which spills over to livelihood, health, and daily lives of people," Arances said.
Environmental groups are calling for accountability from RDC Reield Marine Services, owns sunken tanker, and from still unidentified owner of leaked industrial oil.
They are also urging government to strengthen protection of VIP, and review laws such as Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007 and Philippine Clean Water of 2004.
"It is unthinkable in midst of this environmental nightmare on top of climate threats VIP is facing, it is left exposed and vulnerable with no legal protection whatsoever," Arances said.
Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz told media Philippine Coast Guard should strictly monitor vessels pass through VIP. .. town of Pola is most affected by oil spill incident.
"Large vessels similar to sunken tanker should not be allowed to pass through VIP if they are not responsible owners," she said.
For Gariguez, government should stop plans for LNG expansion in Batangas to prevent adverse impacts on VIP and lives of two million people who rely on conservation corridor.
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