ILOILO CITY – Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will personally inspect the country’s leading coal producer in Semirara Island, Caluya town, Antique province.
“I will travel there myself,” said Lopez.
DENR earlier issued a show-cause order against Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings Inc.
SMPC has already explained why its Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC), which is issued by DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), should not be lifted despite various alleged violations and complaints from residents.
Two attached agencies of DENR – the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and EMB – are conducting validation of SMPC’s explanations.
On the other hand, Antique Governor Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao is seeking for a dialogue with Lopez.
“DENR should consult the Antique provincial government with what it will do with Semirara,” appealed Cadiao.
(Tara Yap)
