Manila, Philippines – Inatasan ng Court of Appeals (CA) ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na maglabas ng guidelines sa loob ng isang buwan hinggil sa pagtatalaga ng non-attainment areas (NAAs) at simulan ang pagdinig sa mga reklamong may kinalaman sa polusyon sa Verde Island Passage (VIP).
Ang direktiba ay kasunod ng walong buwang pagkaantala ng DENR sa pag-aksyon sa petition for a writ of continuing mandamus na inihain ng environmental group na Protect VIP, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED), at ilang grupo ng mga mangingisda.
“We welcome the Court’s decision to mandate the DENR to act within one month. With a firm timeline now set by the Court, we urge the DENR to treat this matter with urgency,” pahayag ni Father Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor ng Protect VIP.
Ang kautusan ng CA ay inilabas sa gitna ng pagbabagong liderato sa DENR, kung saan pinalitan ni Secretary Raphael Lotilla si Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
“As Secretary Lotilla takes on the DENR’s helm, we urge him to do his duty to the people and the environment. Follow the Court’s decision to issue the pertinent guidelines to remove any potential source of pollution in the VIP and establish regular monitoring of its water quality,” dagdag ni Gariguez.
Nakasaad sa resolusyon ng CA na kailangang aksyunan ng DENR ang mga reklamong may kaugnayan sa mga hindi pa nareresolbang isyu ng polusyon sa VIP.
Ipinag-utos din ng CA na magsumite ang DENR ng progress report kada tatlong buwan.
“The communities have spoken, and so has the Court. We urge Secretary Lotilla to make his new term a turning point for the department. Issue the guidelines within one month and declare NAAs for the VIP to prevent further damage from ecologically harmful activities threatening this marine corridor,” ayon kay Gerry Arances. Teresa Tavares
