By In commemoration of Earth Day, various environmental and cause-oriented groups held simultaneous activities all over Panay, highlighting environmental issues and projects they claim cause significant harm to both the people and the environment, on April 22.
In Iloilo, multi-sectoral progressive groups staged a picket protest in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, echoing their calls for a sustainable development that does not cost destruction of lives, rights, and the environment.
John Ian Alenciaga, coordinator of the Jalaur River for the Peoples’ Movement (JRPM), reiterated the implications and environmental impact of the Jalaur Mega Dam.
“Jalaur Dam is a scam. The people have nothing to hope for from this mega dam. The project is almost 80% complete, yet those who were affected still haven’t received proper compensation. The relocation doesn’t support their livelihoods, and there is a lack of justice for those who were killed and whose rights were violated,” Alenciaga said.
“The promise of irrigation is becoming meaningless because lands are being converted into subdivisions and commercial use,” he added.
The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, also known as the Jalaur Mega Dam, has been a focal point of opposition due to its potential to displace thousands of indigenous Tumandok people and its location near an active fault line. Environmental and human rights groups such as JRPM have criticized the project for its association with human rights violations, such as the 2020 Tumandok massacre, where nine indigenous leaders were killed by military forces.
Alek Padrones of OIKOS Ecological Movement Panay, strongly called on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters, areas traditionally reserved for small-scale fisherfolk, emphasizing the importance of protecting municipal waters for subsistence fishers .
Padrones added that local fishing communities fear that the influx of commercial vessels will deplete marine resources and jeopardize their livelihoods.
The landmark SC ruling allows commercial fishing operations within the jurisdiction of coastal local government units (LGUs). The ruling grants commercial fishing vessels permission to fish in waters deeper than 7.3 fathoms, or 42 feet. Nearly 90% of municipal waters are deeper than 7 fathoms.
Matthew Gonzaga of Anakbayan Panay Island, raised alarm on the declaration of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Western Visayas (MGB-6). MGB-6 proposed a 3,000-hectare mineral reservation due to significant deposits of copper, gold, chromite, and silver, covering the upland areas of Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom.
Gonzaga stated that such a declaration opens up for mining exploration and activities that can further cause destruction, erosion, and massive loss of habitat and natural resources.
“That’s why we are calling for an end to destructive mining and for support of the call for a mining moratorium in the province of Antique,” Gonzaga said.
Meanwhile, in Capiz, a fluvial parade starting from Culasi, to People’s Park, Baybay, and Cogon was observed by various progressive groups.
A total of 4 water vessels, each boarded with 5 individuals, were deployed carrying calls to reverse the Supreme Court ruling on commercial fishing, abolish the Fisheries Code of 1998, and push forward and implement genuine fisheries reforms and policies./PT
