@#%& the Koreans and Angie Reyes... destroying my hometown!

The construction of a spa on Taal Volcano in Batangas has halted amid the uproar from residents and some local officials who have decried the P72-million project as encroaching in a protected area, a GMA News report said Wednesday early morning.

GMA News reported that machinery being used to build the spa were no longer being operated as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources investigates if it is safe to erect a structure on the volcanic island.

The probe followed a warning from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that the volcano is active and its surrounding area is still classified as a "permanent danger zone."

"If it's declared a permanent danger zone then a permanent structure is not allowed. So if ever there is a permanent structure, that's a violation. And then we have to give them the notice of violation or stop the operation altogether," said Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes.

Taal Volcano last erupted in 1977.

Construction of the Taal Island Spa Resort started in late May in a partnership between Korean firm Jung Ang Interventure Corp. and the local government of Talisay town.

But the P72-million project, which is set to convert six hectares of land into sauna parlors, massage clinics, spas and other establishments, has already drawn fire from government and church officials.

Batangas Governor-elect Vilma Santos said there is “nothing wrong" with the project although she had reservations.

"There is nothing wrong with the development. People will be given jobs and the [local] economy will improve. Fine. But there are particular things to consider. And we are talking of constructing something on [a site considered] a national treasure," she said.

Radio station dzMM said that the mayors of the 12 towns that ring the volcano are set to discuss the issue.

Lipa City, Batangas Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has also objected to the construction of the spa.

"The island-volcano is a protected area. It should be protected and never be used commercially, especially by foreigners," Arguelles said.

Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate environment committee, further even questioned the grant of land titles in the volcanic island.

"I believe the bigger issue here is how come private individuals were able to acquire land titles to the volcano which should be public land? This has allowed commercial interests to encroach on Taal which is classified as a protected area under our laws," Cayetano said in a statement.

Talisay Mayor Florencio Manimtim, for his part, said the DENR itself granted an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to the Korean company in November last year.

Manimtim claimed that even the late Phivolcs director Raymundo Punongbayan approved of the construction of a spa, saying the volcanologist made "marginal note" of approval in a letter dated Apr. 19, 2002.

But the letter only indicated the construction of a "tourist reception area" beside the Philvolcs Observatory in Taal and made no mention of a spa resort on the mouth of the volcano.

Stauro Punongbayan, son of the late Phivolcs director, in a television asked that his father not be "used" by interested parties in the issue.

Earlier reports further showed that the company failed to secure a water permit, thereby violating one of the conditions stated in the ECC.

“As a general rule, there should be no construction without a water permit. If that’s for a resort, for sure they will use water," said Elenito Bagalihog, water rights division chief of the National Water Resources Board.



- GMANews.TV