Nadine Lustre at Christophe Bariou Umalma Sa Paratang ng Reef Destruction sa Siargao

 Matapos ang pagputok ng balitang may nasirang bahura o coral reefs sa Tuason Beach sa isla ng Siargao, agad na naglabas ng pahayag si Nadine Lustre at ang kanyang kasintahan na si Christopher Bariou upang linawin ang mga isyung iniuugnay sa kanila.

Sa opisyal na pahayag ni Christopher Bariou, isang negosyanteng Pilipino-Pranses at kasalukuyang nakabase sa Siargao, mariin niyang itinanggi ang anumang kaugnayan nila ni Nadine sa proyekto na umano’y dahilan ng pagkasira ng mga coral reefs.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that Nadine and I have no part in the destruction of the reef in Tuason, nor are we in any way involved in the project there. Like everyone else, we are saddened, disappointed, and frustrated by what happened.”

Isa rin sa mga tinamaan ng kontrobersiya ay ang Ver De Siargao, ang restawran na pagmamay-ari ni Bariou. Ayon sa kanya, hindi makatarungang madamay ang Ver De sa isyu, lalo na’t ito ay itinayo nang may pagpapahalaga sa kalikasan.

"Ver De Siargao, which he said was being unfairly dragged into the controversy. “Ver De was built on sustainability and respect for the environment. While the person accused is a business partner in this restaurant, his project in Tuason is entirely separate. We are not accountable for his actions, and we will not tolerate misplaced attacks on us or on Ver De, which provides livelihoods for many and contributes to the community,” paliwanag ni Bariou.

Si Nadine Lustre naman ay nagpahayag ng kanyang pagkadismaya at lungkot sa parehong isyu at sa mga akusasyong ibinabato sa kanila.

“The destruction there goes against every law of nature and must be held accountable under the law. It’s no secret that the person involved is a friend. That makes it all the more heartbreaking to see not only the damage done to the island, but also the betrayal of what Chris and I have been fighting for," ani Nadine.

Ipinaliwanag din ng aktres kung bakit hindi sila agad nagsalita ukol sa isyu. Ayon sa kanya, hindi ito dahil sa kawalan ng pakialam kundi dahil nais nilang maging responsable sa kanilang pahayag.

“We chose to take a moment before speaking because it was important to respond with care, not impulse, on such a serious matter. That is not indifference, it is responsibility. I carry the weight of this platform knowing that words have consequences,” dagdag niya.

Tiniyak din ni Nadine na wala silang kaalaman sa proyekto bago ito sumabog sa publiko. Aniya, “By the time we learned about the situation, DENR’s investigation was already underway. Had we known of these plans earlier, we would have opposed them outright. It is unjust to be linked to a project we had no knowledge of and no part in.”

Sa kabila ng pagbatikos, nanindigan si Nadine at Christopher na hindi magbabago ang direksyon ng kanilang adbokasiya para sa Siargao.

 “Even now when our intentions are questioned or unfairly portrayed, our direction will not change—because the work was never about recognition or popularity, but about doing what is right,” pahayag ni Nadine.

Sa huli, nanawagan siya sa mga awtoridad, mamamayan, at kapwa tagapagtaguyod ng kalikasan na gawing aral ang insidente.

“Let’s ensure something positive comes from this tragic event. I hope all agencies and residents can work together to investigate the many instances of environmental destruction that have plagued Siargao for years,” pagtatapos ni Nadine.