"Another mark gained by Bohol last year was when the local government's environmental management system merited for the province the TUV Germany ISO-14001 final certificate, making it the first, if not the only local government unit in Southeast Asia to be so recognized.

"We believe it is important for potential investors to know that the environmental management system (EMS) we use follow world-accepted standards and that our use of such system is certified by an independent audit body," said Resti Tejido, managing consultant of the Bohol Investments Promotions Center (BIPC), which is under the Office of the Governor.

The BIPC, which identifies investment targets and assists potential and existing investors in the province, is one of 10 pilot offices in the provincial government which has adopted the use of EMS in environmental preservation and conservation efforts.

"Bohol is being positioned as an eco-cultural tourism province, Ms. Tejido added, "and you can't have eco-tourism without preserving the environment. Our vision for the province influences the kind of economic activity we can and can't allow in Bohol. And we're only allowing light to medium, non-pollutive industries. That means no cement factories or mining activities. That's why if you go to the pier here, you can see the stones underwater; you can even go fishing in the pier because there's no oil slick. The water's very clean as it is in the resort areas as well."

Such zealousness for concern in the environment has already earlier earned for the province the United States Agency for International Development's Blue Heart Award for effective enforcement of laws in regulating its coastal and marine resources."

Jeroen, perhaps you have the time to check from TUV Germany the coverage of Bohol's certificate to ISO-14001 for its EMS.

For the above statements seem to contradict the environmental impact of Tangnan port.

Tony Ranque
Al-Khobar, KSA

This man has no business in Bohol! In fact, this man was not even born in Bohol. So, why would he care about this beautiful island? Please keep Panglao Island clean and livable. Thanks.

The fact that the owner of Alturas is ethnically Chinese is not a rational argument against this project. I know this is an often sounded sentiment, but it would have been just as bad if somebody deeply rooted in Panglao would have proposed it. It is a fact that also some local people in the local government do support this project.--Jeroen.

You are God sent. I felt gratitude for your website. Thank you. I sent an e-mail to the Regional director Bienvinido Lipayon regarding my objection to the project and of course no respond. I am not surprise. The lack of accountability is nothing new to government officials there. They are enablers and contribute to the corruption. They are the problem to begin with because by a mere "petty cash" and with a stroke of their dirty pen they will destroy what has been there for million of years. My great grandfather, my grandfather, and my parents all come from there. They earned their livelihoond when they were young, enjoyed and preserved it. Who are we the youger generation to allow it to happen? What about the next generation what are they going to see and say about us? The legacy of garbage! What about the other people who inhabit the island whose voices are not heared and are ignored? There was a newspaper whole page indicating the groups opposing the construction. It was ignored. There were petitioners gathered and published again it was ignored. The Bohol forum group obtained votes for those opposed to the port and was to be presented to Gov. Aumentado in Las Vegas, but for some miraculous reason his travel was conveniently cancelled. Copies of the forum petitioners were forwarded to AGC and government officials and they were ignored.

Since, it is now public that we can obtain dual citizenship, the more we need to make noise and make our officials accountable. It is interesting to note that a grant or contribution of $800,000 from the United Nations Program of Global Environmental (GEF) and the Foundation for Philippine Government ( FPE) for this area. We the tax payers may be paying some of these sums. It will be a good idea to give them a call. You will hear from me if I learn anything.

Your article is well done. You articulated words out of my mouth. Thank you again. Your wesite is awesome. Keep up the good work...

Nico Haight, A Panglaoanon

I admire the work of the these two individuals by way of spearheading this protest and I hope Boholanos in foreign lands as well as residents of Dawis and Tangnan where most are affected by this potentially damaging port to the surroundings of Tangnan and nearby Dawis barangays, will stand up and hold their hands upright to lodge a very strong disapproval of the way this process of acceptance of the second application was conducted.

Concerned Boholanos, for the sake of our future generations, should make known their disagreement and call to invoke due process of the law to look into the the coersive activities by which this second application have merited to be approved. They should not take into consideration the name and status of individuals who might received extra preference from the applicant but bring to justice those who have stepped beyond the bounce of rightful administration of the law. If there were infractions in the conduct of both parties, then the approval of the second application should be rendered null and void.

I just hope that proper authorities, after receiving these two letters, should take a careful review of all the mitigating circumstances and dispense the right judgment as called. And I hope further that these letters should not be regarded only by blind eyes and deaf ears and just toss it to the waste basket, because they too perhaps have succumbed to the pit where others had been fed.

Sincerely,

Romie Villalobos