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Environmental group lauds DENR-EMB for halting Antique mountain road projects

Philippines | Visayas

Environmental group lauds DENR-EMB for halting Antique mountain road projects

By Tara Yap

ONE of the controversial mountain road projects in Laua-an town in Antique province. (Photo courtesy of Discover Antique)

ONE of the controversial mountain road projects in Laua-an town in Antique province. (Photo courtesy of Discover Antique)

ILOILO CITY – An environmental group lauded the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) to halt ongoing construction of mountain road projects in Antique province connecting neighboring towns in Iloilo and Capiz provinces.

“We hail this critical victory for Panay’s ecosystems,” said Amlig Antique Alliance in a statement on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Amlig Antique welcomed the decision after EMB-6 Regional Director Ramar Neil V. Pascua issued the permit revocations and Notices of Violation (NOVs) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“While this is a pivotal first step, this marks the beginning of the fight for full ecological restoration and regulatory accountability,” added Amlig Antique.

Amlig Antique revealed violations of the projects that cut through the mountain range of central Panay Island, including Laua-an and Valderrama.

Constructed since 2020, their contractors were linked to companies that have ties with congressmen who are allegedly part of the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.

They include Sunwest Construction Corp. of former Ako Bikol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Iloilo-based International Builders Corp. (IBC) and Allencon Development Corp., both owned by the uncle of Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr.

Amlig Antique urged the Ombudsman, the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assess potential administrative and criminal liability of the DPWH and contractors.

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