CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – As Congress deliberates on the P322.5 million budget proposed for the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco), various groups urged yesterday “zero budget” for the proposal which they blamed for “massive cancellation of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) and Integrated Social Forestry Certificates in areas covered by Apeco projects.
The fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) also urged lawmakers “to look into the interest of Sen. Edgardo Angara and his son Rep. Sonny Angara in the Apeco” which, they said, the Angaras pushed despite lack of social acceptability.
“Let the Angaras explain to the people why they are pursuing the project despite the wholesale rejection of Apeco by various groups and even some lawmakers during the committee hearing,” the group said.
Pamalakaya vice chair Salvador France said, however, that the Angaras “should not be allowed to speak and cast their vote once Congress in plenary puts this controversial issue for decision.”
France denounced the Apeco as “anti- people and environmentally degrading.”
Pamalakaya said that in Aurora, the protest against Apeco is also being pushed by the umbrella organization Resist Apeco! Defend Aurora Movement (Radam) which has also been lobbying for the scrapping of the project and a probe on what the two groups have labeled as the “Angara clan scheme.”
The groups have sent a letter to House Committee for Appropriations chair Cavite (1st District) Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya and the other members of the Committee, asking them to junk the P322.5 million Apeco budget “in the spirit of objectivity, fairness and justice.”
The groups said “the approval of the P332 .5 millionfunds for the creation of Apeco will only legitimize land-grabbing and the abuse of marine resources in the Aurora province, thus endangering the livelihood, food and housing security, and the environment of the people in Aurora.”
Another group called Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora (PAMANA) has reported harassments, allegedly perpetrated by the elements of the Bravo Coy of the 48th Infantry Battalion, on families which refuse to give up their lands for Apeco projects.
France said that some farmers and fisherfolks being dislocated include beneficiaries of the Commonwealth government’s land reform program.
Other groups which have been lobbying against Apeco include the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), the faith-based group Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), the Government Employees for Genuine Land Reform, Katribu Party list and the PAMANA.
The Angaras had insisted, however, that the Apeco projects would eventually benefit local folk.
The Apeco website aurorapacific.com .ph said that the project proponents envision “a globally competitive, technologically advanced economic zone in the Pacific Northeast Sea Board working towards a renowned business community characterized by unified perspectives on green revolution and world-class innovation.”
