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Officials of the Department of Energy in Central Visayas (DOE-7) and Borbon municipal officials yesterday sought to allay fears of fisherfolks about oil and gas exploration activities which will start in their area in the next few days.
In a public hearing held at the Borbon municipal hall, Borbon Mayor Butch Sepulveda said NorAsia Energy Limited passed all requirements set by the government agencies.
?It was stated that they only ask us for coordination, so we can't stop them,? Sepulveda told CEBU DAILY NEWS.
The seismic survey, which aims to scout for gas and oil reserves under the sea, will start in the Camotes Sea upon the arrival of the vessel, BPC Challenger, and the setup of its equipment.
The survey will cover waters off parts of northern Cebu, Bohol and Leyte provinces.
Mayor Sepulveda said he approved the company's request after being assured that marine life would not be harmed.
DOE representative Mark Gamallo said the firm secured a Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and permits from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
These requirements include financial resources, work experience and capital requirement to enter into a oil exploration venture in the country.
Gamallo said the Provincial Capitol and local government units (LGUs) were also consulted and told of the survey.
Leaders of fisherfolk organizations in Borbon town and nearby Carmen town, Capitol officials and the activist group Pamana-Sugbo (Panaghiusa ng Gagmay'ng Mangingisda sa Sugbo) also attended the hearing.
Eduardo Abante, DOE-Visayas Energy Resources Development and Utilization Department chief, said the survey will not include Marine Protected Areas and the Danajon Bank.
The Danajon Bank off northern Bohol is one of only three double barrier reefs in the Indo-Pacific area.
Abante also said the vessel, the BPC Challenger, will pull a six-kilometer long cable through pre-determined grid lines.
The vessel will release compressed air into the water in low frequencies equivalent to 170 to 200 decibels, about the same level as the sound made by humpback whales.
?It works like an ultrasound. The waves would help identify structures under water. These structures may be the reservoir or ?house? for oil, gas and may even be just water. We only proceed to drilling if we find these structures during the survey,? said Abante.
He said the procedure is less invasive and more comprehensive than the previous practice of using dynamites.
?No fishes died during the seismic survey conducted in Sibonga and Argao towns. We will not drag the cable underwater. We have studies to prove that even if the seismic survey is done in coral reefs, there is no harm done,? said Gamallo.
He also said fisherfolks are not prohibited from fishing because the DOE will set up orange buoys and notify Borbon municipal government of the schedule of the survey.
