Post by EXO on Nov 21, 2009 7:07:51 GMT 8
Just change the names, and the sponsors...
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Bill to ‘chop-chop’ Hundred Islands hit
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:10:00 11/20/2009
ALAMINOS CITY—Environmental advocates in Pangasinan are opposing a bill in the House of Representatives that would split and reclassify the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) here, saying the move is “a grave threat to the country’s ecobiodiversity and an assault to our cultural heritage.”
Authored by Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste, House Bill No. 4995 proposes to divide and declare one of the biggest islands within the HINP as alienable and disposable and allow it to be used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
Once approved, the bill will supersede the 69-year-old Presidential Proclamation No. 667, which designates the HINP as a reservation site and makes it a protected area.
“The Hundred Islands was declared as a reservation for a reason. It is a wildlife sanctuary and breeding ground for a variety of marine species,” said Jonathan Ronquillo, environment campaigner of the La Liga Policy Institute (LLPI), in a statement.
The LLPI, according to its website (www.laligapilipinas.
org), has been providing technical support to the Alaminos City government.
Mayor Hernani Braganza commissioned LLPI to help form economic partnership alliances between local governments in the first district of Pangasinan and provide technical assistance to develop strategic local economic development plans.
Ronquillo said the Hundred Islands spawn ecotourism that benefits not only the local government and communities near it but also local and foreign tourists who are able to enjoy the islands’ white beaches, dive spots and caves.
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Bill to ‘chop-chop’ Hundred Islands hit
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:10:00 11/20/2009
ALAMINOS CITY—Environmental advocates in Pangasinan are opposing a bill in the House of Representatives that would split and reclassify the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) here, saying the move is “a grave threat to the country’s ecobiodiversity and an assault to our cultural heritage.”
Authored by Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste, House Bill No. 4995 proposes to divide and declare one of the biggest islands within the HINP as alienable and disposable and allow it to be used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
Once approved, the bill will supersede the 69-year-old Presidential Proclamation No. 667, which designates the HINP as a reservation site and makes it a protected area.
“The Hundred Islands was declared as a reservation for a reason. It is a wildlife sanctuary and breeding ground for a variety of marine species,” said Jonathan Ronquillo, environment campaigner of the La Liga Policy Institute (LLPI), in a statement.
The LLPI, according to its website (www.laligapilipinas.
org), has been providing technical support to the Alaminos City government.
Mayor Hernani Braganza commissioned LLPI to help form economic partnership alliances between local governments in the first district of Pangasinan and provide technical assistance to develop strategic local economic development plans.
Ronquillo said the Hundred Islands spawn ecotourism that benefits not only the local government and communities near it but also local and foreign tourists who are able to enjoy the islands’ white beaches, dive spots and caves.