PANDAN ANTIQUE FOUNDATION, PAGTATAP FOUNDATION, INC., PAGTATAP-USA
OPEN LETTER:
WE OPPOSE THE PLANNED SEMIRARA DUMPSITE FOR MANILA’S GARBAGE
We, the Pandan Antique Foundation, Inc.(PAF) and Pagtatap USA, based in California, and the Pagtatap Foundation, Inc. in Manila, Philippines, and all the Antiquenos abroad are outraged and vehemently opposed to Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) plan to use Semirara Island as the dumping site for Metro Manila’s waste.
Semirara Island is approximately 300 kilometers away from Manila by air. Located at the northern end of the province of Antique, it is only two kilometers away from Pandan Bay in Pandan, Antique, and less than 40 kilometers from the world-famous Boracay Island Resort in the province of Aklan.
As professionals who were born and raised in Pandan and are now living abroad, we have made it our mission to help improve the lives and well-being of the people in Pandan. We are vigilant in preserving Pandan’s environment and natural resources. Because of this, we strongly oppose the plan to make Semirara the new garbage dumpsite for Metro Manila’s waste.
We are told that the Semirara Coal Corporation (SCC) has been criticized by the people of Semirara and Caluya, its neighboring island, for water pollution in their mining operation. This pollution has already begun to attack the coral reefs. However, despite the natives’ complaints, the Department of Natural Resources still granted SSC a certificate of compliance. And, SCC is a subsidiary of one of the companies that is interested in obtaining the dumpsite contract!
We know how valuable coral reefs are to the worldwide ecosystems. Now with the potential of hazardous and toxic run-off, not only is the coral reef threatened, but so is the fishing and resort industry of the waters surrounding Semirara, Caluya, Sibay, Boracay, and indeed the whole bay of Pandan.
Therefore, we want to ask MMDA the following questions: Why can’t Metro Manila dump its own garbage in its own backyard? Why do you want to pass on your toxic waste and refuse to the residents of a neglected and underdeveloped province of Antique? Is it because you can’t stand the sight and smell of your own garbage? If so, what right do you have to sully the waters of Pandan Bay and destroy the town’s fishing industry and main source of food supply? How can you justify destroying Pandan’s quality of life and polluting its ecosystem? Do you think that Antiquenos are gullible that you expect them to say nothing and just accept your preposterous decision? Some prominent government officials have hailed from our town like the late Chief Justice Calixto Zaldivar and the first Central Bank Governor, Gella. Antique’s congressman, Tobias Fornier, chaired the Appropriations Committee during his tenure.
We rise in protest to the Semirara dumpsite plan. We are asking the Greenpeace Organization, the environmental preservation agencies, and those who are sympathetic to our cause to help us in our fight against the invasion of our islands by the careless, indifferent polluters from Manila. We are also asking the neighboring towns and provinces of Antique to stand up and voice their opposition to this outrageous proposal. Let us unite and work together to protect our threatened towns and islands. OPPOSE THE SEMIRARA ISLAND DUMPSITE!
SIGNED:
CESAR D. CANDARI, M.D.
CHAIRMAN, PANDAN ANTIQUE FOUNDATION, INC.
San Diego, California
ROBERT PETER D. ALOJIPAN, M.D.
PRESIDENT, PAGTATAP FOUNDATION, INC.
Manila, Philippines
LEO RECTRA, R.N.
PRESIDENT, PAGTATAP USA
Los Angeles, California
Date: December 08, 2000
