Obando residents stage fluvial protest vs Navotas dumpsite

OBANDO, Bulacan — Residents of this coastal town held a protest action in the form of a fluvial parade locally known as "libad" to protest the continuous operation of the Navotas-controlled dump facility in Barangay Tanza.

Some 15 bancas (boats) loaded with fisherfolk and residents from Barangay Binuangan milled around a larger fishing vessel where an ecumenical prayer service was held to protest the operation of the dumpsite, which they said has endangered their source of livelihood.

Ricardo de Armas, chair of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Pamalakaya sa Pilipinas-Bulacan (PAMALAKAYA-Bulacan), said that the seepage from the solid waste facility has started to empty into the river system, posing a serious threat to the marine ecosystem, destroying their source of livelihood.

The dumpsite is operated by a private firm, Philippine Ecological Systems Corp., which hauls garbage from the Navotas pier and brings them to the Tanza dumpsite, passing through the Binuangan River in Obando.

The residents had put up barricades to prevent the entry of barges which carry the garbage.

Clemente Bautista of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, said that the dumpsite is situated in a critical area.

Bautista said that should the Department of Environment and Natural Resources continue to give their complaint a cold shoulder, they will file a citizens’ suit against Environment Secretary Mike Defensor.

Obando Mayor Zoilito Santiago said that the local government is exhausting all legal means to address the problem, saying that they are working to bring the matter to the concerned government agencies.