Groups file petition for probe, review of Subic Freeport development

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A coalition of environmental and community groups petitioned Malacañang on Tuesday (Sept. 1) seeking an independent probe into the fatal landslide at the Tipo High-Tech Eco Park in the Subic Bay Freeport and a wider review of major development projects in the area.

The Save Subic Bay Coalition, composed of residents, Ayta communities, business groups and civil society organizations, made the appeal in a petition addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Senate and the House of Representatives.

READ: Groups demand independent probe into fatal Subic landslide

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“In light of the flood-control controversy and the severe flooding affecting communities, particularly Olongapo, we respectfully call for an independent and comprehensive review of major developments in the freeport, especially those near waterways, slopes, forests and mangroves,” according to Jen Velarmino-van der Heijde, spokesperson of the coalition and president of Subic Bay Chamber for Health and Environment Conservation. She said the petition was received by the Office of the President on Tuesday. 

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“This is not about blaming or singling out any developer, but about transparency, accountability and public safety,” Velarmino-van der Heijde told the Inquirer. 

In their 10-page petition, the coalition asked authorities to determine the actual causes of the landslide, including whether factors beyond prolonged rainfall contributed to the failure of a retaining structure or slope-protection system at the development along Tipo Road.

“While rainfall may have contributed to the failure, the public deserves an independent determination of the actual causes and contributing factors,” the coalition said in the petition.

Among the matters it wants investigated are whether the retaining structure was designed for the site’s geological, hydrological and seismic conditions; whether it was built according to approved engineering plans; whether surrounding slopes and earthworks were properly designed and stabilized; and whether drainage systems and construction activities contributed to slope instability.

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The coalition also wants authorities to verify the project’s permits, environmental clearances and safety certifications and determine whether government inspections were properly conducted.

It said the investigation should cover the developer, contractors, consultants, engineers, permitting authorities and government agencies involved in approving, monitoring or supervising the development.

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“No private entity or government agency should be presumed guilty before the facts are established. However, neither should any entity be shielded from accountability if an independent investigation establishes responsibility,” the coalition said.

Wider review

The coalition is also seeking a review of major developments within the Freeport, particularly those near environmentally sensitive areas, waterways, slopes, forests and mangroves.

It wants authorities to assess whether these projects comply with applicable laws, regulations and approved master plans, including their cumulative effects on drainage, flooding, slope stability, infrastructure and surrounding communities.

The petition also asks authorities to revisit the planning principles established for the Subic Bay Freeport, including the Development Master Plan prepared with the participation of Japanese urban planner Kenzo Tange and Kenzo Tange Associates.

It said current and proposed developments should be assessed against those principles and existing standards, including the relationship between building height and development density and the operational and safety requirements of the Subic Bay International Airport.

The coalition also wants the government to review major development contracts where significant environmental, geological, engineering or disaster risks have not been adequately established, including whether implementation should be suspended where legally warranted to ensure that economic activity does not compromise public safety or environmental protection.

Mangroves, railway project

The petition likewise calls for the protection of remaining mangroves within the Freeport and surrounding coastal areas, citing the proposed Subic-Clark Railway Project and its potential impact on more than six hectares of mangroves.

The coalition wants project proponents to examine technically feasible alternative alignments to avoid the affected mangrove areas and to make relevant environmental and technical studies available for public scrutiny.

“Where a project can be moved, move the project—not the mangrove,” the coalition said.

It also called for an updated inventory and mapping of remaining mangrove areas and independent environmental and technical reviews of major projects that could affect them.

Documents sought

The coalition is seeking public access, subject to lawful confidentiality requirements, to key documents related to the Tipo development, including engineering and structural plans, geotechnical and soil studies, drainage and hydrological studies, environmental compliance documents, permits, inspection reports and construction certifications.

It also wants relevant records on the developers and contractors involved, government inspections and enforcement actions, and the environmental and technical studies for the proposed railway alignment.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has said it supports an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Tipo incident and a review of its policies and practices to strengthen safeguards, monitoring and enforcement.

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Xantheng (Subic) International Corp. (XSIC), the management arm of Tipo High-Tech Eco Park, earlier said it would cooperate with the investigation, assist affected families and monitor the area. The company attributed the incident to prolonged heavy rainfall in the Subic Bay Freeport  and surrounding areas. /jpv