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CBCP chief now backs geothermal project in Negros - report


MANILA, Philippines — In a change of heart, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo gave his backing to a geothermal project in Negros Occidental, which he said is in line with his advocacy for renewable energy. Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that Lagdameo now believes the Energy Development Corp. project is "better, practical and environment-friendly." "We must take advantage of the gifts of nature which offer healthier and less destructive options. If out of necessity, trees are to be cut and environments are to be restructured, it must be for a greater reason, in accordance with approved laws and in the spirit of true stewardship of creation for the benefit of all," the EDC quoted Lagdameo as saying in a letter to EDC chairman Oscar Lopez. The EDC said Lagdameo even thanked Lopez for providing him with information on the EDC steam augmentation project in the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone. "I pray for God's blessing on your project which will benefit the people of Northern Negros and hopefully even beyond," he wrote. EDC spokesman Frances Ariola said Lagdameo admitted that when he signed a petition to save Mt. Kanlaon, he thought he was opposing the presence of coal in the protected area. Members of the Save Mt. Kanlaon Movement are opposed to the entry of EDC into the KMNP buffer zone. The EDC press statement said that it was only when EDC "acquainted" Lagdameo with the project by sending pertinent data that he fully understood the issues. EDC is currently using 12.5 hectares of the MKNP Buffer Zone to augment the steam supply of its 40-megawatt Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant. It has committed to supply power to Negros Occidental by 2010-2011, its press statement said. Lagdameo, in his letter, also said he was informed that EDC is committed to reforest 400 hectares within MKNP for the next five years to replace the trees that will be affected by the project. EDC was able to get a permit to cut 4,213 trees. The EDC press statement said the company is doing its best to save as many trees as it can, in fact, EDC expects to save more than a thousand trees in its area of operation in the buffer zone. Lagdameo also said that he was made to understand that a comprehensive reforestation program, as well as effective watershed management is necessary and important for the continuous operation of a geothermal project. He said that when he was Bishop of Dumaguete, he became aware of the Palimpinon geothermal project in Negros Oriental. - GMANews.TV