DENR cites violations in Cordova’s floating resto

Cordova floating ramp and eco-tourism project November 2014 (Source: DENR 7)

A floating restaurant operated by the Cordova municipal government in Gilutongan Island was cited for three violations of its environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The violations  were minor such as lack of a notice board showing its ECC, failure to submit a work program for tree planting, and lack of a permit to operate its air generator set but each lapse can draw a fine of P50,000 each.

‘Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy was  called to a technical conference of the Environment Management Bureau saying the town earns P20 million a year from the project.

He said this includes the P400,000 monthly rent paid by the South Korean group Hei Yang Sports Inc. which offers a tour package to foreign visitors particularly South Korean diving enthusiasts who want to see the rich marine life there.

Foreign visitors touring around the small, connecting islets in Mactan’s waters often make a stop in Gilutongan Island.

Sitoy said Hei Yang Sports earns from the restaurant and the diving fees it charges to tourists.

Huge help

“They offer it as a tour package, mostly in Korea. So I would not know how much they charge per person. Basta kami, we receive P400,000 from that every month and it has been a huge help,” the mayor said.

These developments have caught the attention of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) who voiced concern over the potential effects of the restaurant to the fish sanctuary.

Last Nov. 11, field personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) visited the island to check if violations were made in the project’s ECC.

The EMB issued a notice of violation to the Cordova municipal government but only noted minor violations to the municipality’s “Floating Ramp and Eco-Tourism Structure Project.”

EMB-7 Regional Director William Cunado said the town failed to submit its work and financial program for the supposed seedling and tree planting activity in the island.

Word war

It also noted the project’s lack of permit to operate an air generator set and a permit for a waste treatment facility for the restaurant.

Cunado cited Section 9 of Presidential Decree 1586 which provides for the penalty, in this case not exceeding P50,000 for every violation and the suspension or cancellation of the project’s environment compliance certificate.

The town was also advised to submit a written explanation regarding the alleged violations during the technical conference scheduled on Nov. 27 at DENR-7 office.

Mayor Sitoy protested the PB’s investigation led by his son PB Member Arleigh Sitoy.

The two engaged in a word war after the younger Sitoy invited representatives of Hei Yang Sports Inc. and DENR-7 officials for a hearing on the issue. But the officials didn’t show up.

Named in the invitation  were Kwang Jae Lee, Young Il Huh, Ligaya Dianalan, Ruel Hercesio and Ellenbert Catayas of Hei Yang Sports Inc.

Mayor Sitoy said the EMB’s “very minor” findings affirm his earlier statements that the project caused no harm in the sanctuary.

He said they already corrected all the violations noted by the environment office yesterday.

“This just proves the harassment of the province. Their inquiry was a waste of time effort and saliva,” he said.

Mayor Sitoy said the inquiry may drive other foreign investors away “considering the way the PB has treated our business partners.”

“This is such a shame to our Korean investors. He (Arleigh) could have went straight to me and asked me about this,” the mayor said.

His son PB member Sitoy who has strained releations with his father, said he worried about the  potential harm  posed by the floating restaurant in the marine sanctuary, such as  solid waste and water. He said there was a need to update the province ordinance on  marine sanctuaries passed in 2007.