Richard Gomez decries alleged pollution, degradation of environment in Leyte

Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez has called out government authorities over alleged violation of land use and environmental laws in Palompon and Albuera, Leyte.

Gomez, during the hearing of the House environment and natural resources panel on Wednesday, said the local governments of Palompon and Albuera and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) were yet to act on alleged illegal activities of private businesses in their jurisdictions.

“My esteemed colleagues, I come before you to present a case of massive water, soil, air, and environmental pollution, along with gross violations of our nation’s most fundamental land use. It is incumbent upon us, legislators, to hear and resolve shameless and impudent acts against nature and the people who depend on the services of nature to survive," he said.

“The destruction of our environment and the natural services it provides is tantamount to robbery of clean water, soil, air, protection from flooding, forest goods, among others," he added.

The lawmaker also called out a chicken dressing plant in the municipality of Albuera, saying the company continues to operate until now despite the repeated appeals of surrounding communities for the DENR Region 8 to issue a cease and desist order against the firm due to health and environmental risks from the presence of swarms of flies and the unbearable stench of chicken poop and parts, as well as causing water pollution of the river leading to Ormoc Bay.

Gomez also cited a a recent study conducted by the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas’ College of Science on the water quality, stream ecology, microbial analysis of the Albuera-Tinag-an stream system which showed that wastes from the plant polluted the waters of Ormoc Bay.

The plant’s solid wastes include dead chickens, chicken intestines, and other parts and materials.

Gomez also said there are various cases of illegal re-classification of land involving forest lands, watershed areas and their buffer zones, via misleading maps in the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) of Palompon.

“Our legal, administrative, and executive status quo allows for violators to get away with it without the prospect of just penalty… Violators act the way they do simply because they can get away with it," he said.

“My fellow lawmakers, we are duty-bound to protect our country. We cannot allow our natural resources to be degraded, disrespected, devastated and damaged such that Filipinos are deprived of the most basic human needs - clean water, clean air, nutritious food and decent shelter," he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News