SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) strongly objected to reports that a forest at the West Ilanin Protected Area here was destroyed to make way for the construction of a shooting range for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
“That is a very irresponsible assertion that makes a mockery of truth as we know it,” said SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana, who had earlier clarified to the media the controversial construction project.
“There are three trees that we have recommended for cutting out of the affected 25 trees in the area because the rest were only for trimming. How could they say a whole forest was destroyed?” Dela Llana said.
“Also we have pointed out the fact that while the construction project is within the West Ilanin Forest, which is a protected area, the location is already built-up, which means it has been previously developed and therefore no longer classified as a forest,” she added.
Dela Llana had pointed out in a statement on Thursday that the construction of a shotgun shooting range is located at the former Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) area at the former Naval Magazine (NavMag) in the Subic Bay Freeport.
She said this has been used extensively by the US Navy along with the nearby ammunition pier at Camayan Point, which is now the site of the Ocean Adventure Marine Park.
Dela Llana said the project is being undertaken by a private contractor, CFV ARAR Contractors, Phils., Inc., which is the winning bidder for the project commissioned by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).
The project was initially ordered for construction for the SEA Games Clark Cluster, but on Sept. 18, 2019, PHISGOC endorsed the project to the Subic Cluster for implementation, she said.
Dela Llana also clarified that the SBMA Ecology Center issued a Notice of Violation to the project contractor on Nov. 22, after an on-site inspection on Nov. 21, revealed extensive clearing and grubbing operations in the area without appropriate environmental permit.
However, Dela Llana said that the contractor thereafter filed a request for tree trimming and cutting, which was granted on Nov. 25 after an inventory of the affected trees.
She said her office had permitted the cutting of three gubas (Endospermum peltatum) species, which were found to be leaning over the road.
Dela Llana added that the Ecology Center also conducted a Technical Compliance Conference (TCC) on Nov. 26 with representatives of the project management team to resolve issues regarding permits. Another meeting was scheduled after the SEA Games, she added.
Dela Llana also stressed that the contractor will be held liable for its violation.
“It will be compelled by the SBMA to undergo compliance, the same way that Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc., operator of the Ocean Adventure Marine Park, was held to task by the SBMA when it was found to have ‘deliberately evaded the filing of an application for Environmental Clearance with the SBMA Ecology Department’ while undergoing construction of a swimming pool, sprinkler pool and wading pool in October 2016,” Dela Llana added.