In a decisive move to enforce environmental regulations, the local government unit (LGU) of Loay has mandated the shutdown of the Three Angel Ice Plant for its failure to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The directive, spearheaded by Mayor Hilario Ayuban on March 25, 2024, targets the facility situated in Barangay Poblacion Ubos, which has been operating in defiance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s (DENR) requirements.
The controversy erupted following allegations that the ice plant was unlawfully functioning within a designated protected zone.
This industrial entity’s presence in such a sensitive area not only raises concerns over potential ecological damage but also suggests possible contraventions of established zoning ordinances.
In response to the initial grievance, Mayor Ayuban acted swiftly, granting the plant’s management a brief period to furnish evidence of legal compliance.
However, their inability to present the requisite documentation culminated in the issuance of the closure order.
The significance of possessing an ECC has been magnified in the region, particularly after the widely publicized debacle of Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol.
The resort’s operations, lacking an ECC, were controversially sanctioned by a Mayor’s Permit from the Sagbayan local authorities, a decision justified by a clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
This incident underscores the heightened scrutiny and stringent expectations placed upon businesses in Bohol to adhere to environmental safeguards, reflecting a broader commitment to preserving the province’s natural heritage.
BUD AGTA IN HOT WATER
In a related development, Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio Delos Reyes confirmed that the Bud Agta Viewing Deck, located in Barangay Tamboan, Carmen, Bohol did not receive a mayor’s business permit as of January 2023.
This confirmation came during an interview with members of Bohol media.
The Bud Agta Viewing Deck was inspected by DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos and the DILG Inspection Team on March 21, in Barangay Tamboan, Carmen.
According to Mayor Che, the local government of Carmen did not issue permits because the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) obtained was only for Trekking and Glamping Ground purposes.
Furthermore, the construction violates the law as it erected a structure within the Chocolate Hills with 170 steps leading to their viewing deck, posing a risk to visitors and tourists due to the absence of safety rails that could prevent falling.
Mayor Delos Reyes disclosed plans to summon the owner of Bud Agta and the DENR to her office next week to discuss the issue and potentially issue a closure order.