By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
THE Board of Directors of Medina Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Cooperative (Merwasco) had passed a resolution opposing the water permit application of the Misamis Oriental Bio-Energy Group before the National Water Resource Board.
Merwasco chairman Raul Barcelona in a letter sent to the Vice-Governor Joey Pelaez and members of the SangguniangPanlalawigan, last week informed them that the local waterworks cooperative has passed a resolution opposing the application of the proposed Biomass Plant in Medina for water permits.
Barcelona said Merwasco is the only water service cooperative in the municipality of Medina and it has more than 2,000 member consumers who signed a petition opposing the entry of the biomass plant in their municipality.
One of Merwasco’s water source and water tanks is located at Sitio Tag-anonang, Barangay Portulin, Medina which caters the household member-consumers from Barangay Duka to North Poblacion area.
He said Merwasco is very much apprehensive of the proposed bio-mass plant to be installed which is not far from the water source and it will possible affect the water source because of its wastes and other contaminations which will be released by the said plant.
Upon unanimous motion, he said that they hereby oppose the water permit application of the Misamis Oriental Bio-Energy (Mobec) Group before the National Water Resource Board to operate the bio-mass power plant in Barangay Duka which is near to the water source at Sitio Tag-anonang, Barangay Portulin.
Earlier, no less than Vice-Governor Joey Pelaez has passed a resolution opposing the construction of the proposed bio-mass plant in barangay Duka, Medina while still conducting a comprehensive study on the environmental impact of the bio-mass plant.
Pelaez in his letter to National Water Resource Board (NWRB) Executive Director Dr.Sevillo D. David, Jr. stating their strong opposition of the bio-mass project which he believed that has harmful effects to the environment.
“Barangay Duka is home of the famous tourist and dive spot, Duka Bay. It has been officially declared as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Hence, any activity which may threaten the ecological balance of the protected area should not be allowed in the first instance,” he said.
According to the initial study, Pelaez said that biomass power plants will create a potential environmental impact. Studies reveal that Biomass energy waste water pollutes rivers and surface water.
He said he doubt that Mobec has secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a requirement for water permits for industrial use. Mobec has not been given an endorsement from SangguniangPanlalawigan (SP) which is also a requirement in securing an ECC.
“Barangay Duka is not also classified as an industrial plant but it has classified as a tourist spot,” he added.
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