• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Notices of violation and stoppage order have been issued by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) against the operations of two mountain resorts in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Vicente Losbañes, officer-in-charge of EMB-Negros Island Region, said on Friday (Oct. 3) that Balaan Hills in Barangay Mailum constructed structures without securing an environment compliance certificate (ECC) from the DENR.
Losbañes said the management of Mailum Falls Ecopark and Mountain Resort located in the same village also started earth-moving activities as part of their expansion efforts, but these works are not included in the original ECC issued to them in 2013.
The amendments to the old ECC being sought by the management have yet to be approved by the DENR.
In connection with the violation of the Balaan Hills, the EMB issued a notice of violation and stoppage order against them.
This was already endorsed to the city government for appropriate action and to also determine if they have building and business permits, Losbañes said.
The two mountain resorts are among the prime tourist destinations in Barangay Mailum, which used to be a rebel stronghold in the late 1980s. | GB
