Lipa bishop nixes resort project in Taal volcano

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles opposed the construction of a tourist facility on the mouth of the scenic Taal Volcano in Batangas province. “The church in Lipa appeals to the government to respect Taal volcano island as a national sanctuary and unique treasure," Arguelles said in a text message on Tuesday. It was earlier reported that a Korean company is set to build a spa resort after getting permission to do so from the local government through a memorandum of agreement. The firm reportedly wants to build the facility on Daang Kastila, which leads up to the main wall of Taal’s crater. Arguelles said that while the P72-million investment could help boost the local economy, allowing the project to push through would cause ecological damage. “It should be kept secure from ecological damage. It must be open to all only when it is safe and it should never be used for profit ventures especially by foreigners," the prelate said. The whole Taal island has been considered a danger zone by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Phivolcs has placed Taal volcano on Alert Level 1 since 2005. Arguelles, head of the Commission on Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said that even Lipa Mayor and governor-elect Vilma Santos is against the construction of the multi-million project. “She is 101 percent against it," the bishop said. Taal volcano, said to be the world’s smallest volcano, erupted at least 24 times since 1572. Six of the eruptions at Taal caused fatalities. At least 1,334 people died when the volcano erupted in 1911. - GMANews.TV