Davide urges Alegria officials to help guard town’s treasures

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has instructed local officials in Alegria to closely monitor the gas and oil exploration in the town and make sure environmental laws are followed.

“The local government unit (LGU) should constantly monitor and submit updates and reports of the operation. This is to ensure that the environment is also being protected,” David said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

He said a report shall be submitted to him regularly.

This after environmental groups expressed their concern over the gas and oil field in Barangay Montpeller in Alegria, which is sitting at the protected area of Tañon Strait.

The strait, which is dubbed as the largest protected area in the country with at least 521,018 hectares, is home to at least 70 species of fish, dolphins and whales including the critically endangered marine mammal known as Dugong.

Davide said he already met with the project contractor, China International Mining Petroleum Co. Ltd. (CIMP) which reportedly assured him that they will comply with all the requirements.

The governor also expressed hopes that the gas and oil exploration in Alegria town will be successful as it can greatly improve the economic status of the 4th municipal income class municipality.

“We were hopeful nga kaning project sa Alegria would really succeed because the prospects are bright,” he said.

With the commencement of commercial operation of the oil and gas field in the said town, Alegria is projected to receive a monthly earning of at least P82 million.

Under Presidential Decree 87 or the Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1971, the Philippine government will get at least a 60 percent share from the net sales of the project, with the remaining 40 percent going to the contractor.

Of the 60 percent share of the government, 18 percent will go to the local municipality of Alegria, 14 percent will go to the host barangay of Montpeller and eight percent will be given to the Cebu provincial government.

Davide said that the money that the province will get from the oil extraction in Alegria can be used to finance some important projects of his administration.