Note: Addressed to Babilonia Wilner Foundation and Pawikan Conservation Project (Task Force Pawikan – Pawikan Files Council) of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Deparment of Environment and Natural Resources
December 23, 2000
Gentlemen:
I am not sure if you are aware of the efforts of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to contract DMCI-RII Builders Consortium to establish a garbage dumpsite on Semirara Island, Municipality of Caluya, Antique.
I have been going over the Philippine laws protecting the environment and also DENR’s memorandum on protecting marine turtles (of which Caluya is one of the sanctuaries) and also its guidelines on the establishment and management of buffer zones for protected areas.
From my readings, I know that DENR is doing its best to preserve and protect the country’s natural resources. Because of this, I am confident that you are the agency that will also be actively opposing the establishment of the dumpsite in Semirara for the excessive garbage coming from Metro Manila.
People like the islanders don’t have much recourse nor resources to fight for their property and rights. It is the agencies, like the DENR, that they depend on to safeguard their welfare. Helping them in their opposition to Metro Manila’s plan to make Semirara a dumpsite is one good example of making the environmental laws work for their protection.
Please support the islanders’ opposition and make it your top priority especailly because Metro Manila’s garbage has to be dumped elsewhere in January and MMDA has its eyes set on Semirara.
(SGD.) THELMA RAMOS
(born in Pandan Antique)
Washington, USA
