LOBO, Batangas — The local government of Lobo, Batangas has taken a firm stand against the proposed construction of a Pryce Gases facility in Barangay Talahib Pandayan, Batangas City, citing serious concerns over public safety, environmental protection, and the apparent lack of meaningful consultation with affected communities. At the heart of the opposition is the project’s location within the Verde Island Passage, a globally recognized marine corridor often described as the “center of the center” of marine biodiversity.

According to the Lobo LGU, the proposed LPG terminal and refilling plant poses potential health and safety risks to residents, particularly students and families living in nearby barangays such as Banalo and Masaguitsit. The proximity of the facility to Banalo Elementary School has raised alarm, with officials warning that any industrial accident could have devastating consequences for children and nearby communities. Beyond human safety, the project is also seen as a direct threat to the area’s coral sanctuary—an ecological asset that sustains local fisheries and livelihoods.

Vice Mayor Angelito Abiera revealed that as early as September 29, 2025, the municipal council had already passed a resolution formally opposing the project. The resolution cited insufficient coordination with barangay officials and residents, as well as the dangers associated with locating a hazardous facility near schools and residential areas. Despite providing a copy of the resolution to the private company behind the project, the LGU claims no concrete response or corrective action has been taken to date.

This controversy reflects a larger national dilemma: how should development be balanced against environmental protection and community welfare? While industrial projects promise jobs and economic growth, they can also impose long-term risks that local communities are left to bear. The absence of transparent consultation only deepens public distrust and fuels resistance.

As Lobo’s local government insists that its actions are rooted in protecting students, residents, and natural resources, the debate goes beyond one project. It challenges how decisions are made, whose voices are prioritized, and what kind of development the country is willing to pursue. In the face of economic ambition and ecological responsibility, should development ever come at the expense of community safety and one of the world’s most important marine ecosystems? (Larawan mula sa: Patrol ng Bayan original, Facebook)