Lakad Laban sa Laiban Dam... Samahan! Suportahan!

Quezon to Manila march planned vs Laiban dam
Written by MARK MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV Wednesday, 28 October 2009 00:00

Members of various environmental organizations will embark on a 148-kilometer march next month to air their strong opposition against the multi-billion-peso dam project in Tanay, Rizal.

Members of the Save Sierra Madre Network (SSMN), Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Magsasaka (Pakisama),and the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) are opposing the P50-billion project as it will displace some 4,500 families in seven barangays in Tanay.

The construction of Laiban Dam, a joint venture of the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and San Miguel Bulk Water Co., will also destroy habitats of endemic and endangered species in the towns forested areas.

Hindi dam ang nagbibigay ng tubig kundi ang gubat (Dams do not give water but forests)," said Martin Francisco of SSMN.

The dam, meant solely to supply water and not to generate electricity, stands 113 meters high and will have a reservoir to cover 28,000-hectares of land. [See: San Miguel to partner with 2 Japanese groups for Laiban dam]

Critics of the Laiban dam project say relocating residents that will be deplaced will have a difficult time adjusting to a new environment. Source of maps: MWSS and Google Earth.

The planned march is similar to what a group of peasant farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon did two years ago to press the government to award to them the 144 hectares of land that they had fought for the last two decades.

In October 2007, the farmers collectively known as the Sumilao farmers traveled on foot the more than 1,700-kilometer stretch from Bukidnon to Manila. Their ordeal won them support from various sectors including the Catholic Church and prompted Malacañang to give them their demands.

Those who are opposed to the construction of the Laiban Dam, reportedly San Miguels biggest project in its 131 years of existence, will try to replicate this feat next month.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• laiban
• dam
• environment
• protest
• kalikasan
• pilipinas

[tiantars]

Wag natin hayaan masira ang kagubatan ng Sierra Madre. Ang putik galing sa Ondoy ay dahilan ng walang respeto natin sa kabundukan. No Laiban Dam.

[zhinadebefova]

parang Rebsong ito ahhh...