The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has issued notices of violation to two mountain resorts in Barangay Mailum, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Vicente Losbañes, OIC Regional Director of EMB – Negros Island, confirmed on Friday, Oct. 3, that that they issued notices of violation to the Mailum Falls Dreamland Resort and the Balaan Hills Ecopark.
Losbañes said that while Mailum Falls Dreamland Resort had been issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) sometime in 2013, its recent expansion was not covered by the original document.
The resort had requested an amendment to its ECC, but Losbañes said they proceeded with earthmoving activities and construction before it was approved.
This premature action led to the notice of violation and an earth moving and infrastructure stoppage order, he said.
The Balaan Hills Ecopark was issued a notice of violation and a stoppage order to halt infrastructure activities without an approved ECC.
The management of Balaan Hills Ecopark, in a press release on Friday, acknowledged the Notice of Violation from the EMB.
They voluntarily filed their ECC application with EMB Region VI on Jan. 25, 2024, citing a commitment to environmental safeguarding and sustainable development, the management said.
Following this, an administrative penalty was imposed and fully settled on Aug. 15, 2024, it said.
“Our operations have been conducted in good faith, under the belief that the application was under due process,” the statement read.
“At no point was there any intent to disregard environmental laws”, it said.
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It said it is committed to work closely with the DENR-EMB and to fully comply with all environmental laws, rules, and regulations.
“We remain open to further guidance and coordination to ensure that the project continues to align with the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development,” it said.
“Balaan Hills Ecopark was founded on the belief that development and environmental protection must go hand in hand,” Leo Nikko Delfinado, owner of Balaan Hills Ecopark, said.
The notices of violation and stoppage orders for both establishments have been endorsed to the Bago City Mayor’s Office, Losbañes said.
It is up to the LGU to check if they possess the necessary building and business permits, he said.*