ILOILO CITY, (PNA) — Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said the “writ of kalikasan” issued by the Supreme Court (SC) against the construction of Jalaur Multi-Purpose Project II in Calinog town does not stop the work because the court did not issue any temporary environmental protection order.
“The SC did not issue a temporary environmental protection order as requested by former 2nd district Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco, so this could not stop the work there. The work could only be stopped if there is an order,” the governor said.
Defensor, however, said there is no actual work as of now but only detailed engineering works.
The writ, issued by Acting Chief Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr., was in favor of the petition for continuing mandamus and writ of kalikasan lodged by Syjuco against the said project, claiming that this would affect 17,000 residents from 25 villages.
In a three-page resolution, the high court said it found the petition of Syjuco “sufficient in form and substance.”
The SC ordered respondents Drilon, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to submit their comment on the petition for a period of 10 days.
A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy which provides for the protection of one’s right to “a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” as provided for in Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.