ARAW-ACI shows support of SCRP in a recent tree-planting activity. FB photograb
ANGELES CITY – The multi-sectoral advocacy group Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) has reacted strongly against the statement of the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) supporting the realignment of the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP).
On Monday, PGKM chair Ruperto Cruz said if ARAW is really an environmental group, then “how come they neglected the watershed area in Clark? Was ARAW instrumental in saving the mangroves in Subic?
Cruz noted: “Had it not been to the Save Subic Bay Mangroves Coalition (SSBMC) that anticipated the SCRP realignment, some 42 hectares of mangroves in Subic would have been affected.”
“ARAW was totally absent in saving the mangroves. ARAW is consistent in being inconsistent because it is allowing itself to be used by vested interest groups for pecuniary interest,” alleged Cruz.
“Does ARAW know that the realignment was made without any public hearing or consultation?” Cruz asked. “Does ARAW know the start of the SCRP or where it will end?”
Furthered Cruz: “ARAW is totally insensitive to the real stakeholders in this issue – the farmers, local government units and businessmen, subdivision owners and developers.”
Questioning the group’s credentials, the PGKM chair said: “If ARAW’s advocacy is true, then it should stick to protecting the environment. And where are the millions of trees on the Abacan River that were supposed to be planted by your group?”
“ARAW is nothing but a lackey of (Transportation Sec. Arthur) Tugade,” he alleged. “And Tugade is anti-Kapampangan.”
Cruz said the PGKM will not protest if the original alignment will be followed.
But he said the realignment will affect the ongoing development in the area especially in Porac.
Cruz said the PGKM had asked the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for five good reasons for the realignment. “But they haven’t answered up to this time,” he lamented.
The PGKM said “the P50 billion cost of the SCRP would be better spent in a mix railway from Clark to Laoag, Ilocos Norte which will truly benefit the people especially in the post-pandemic era.”
