‘Aurorans support Apeco’

AURORA PACIFIC ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT AUTHORITY, Philippines – The leadership of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) yesterday said it enjoys the support of a majority of the residents of Aurora province.

Malcolm Sarmiento, Apeco president and chief executive officer, said those supporting the ecozone are legitimate leaders of indigenous peoples, landowners, fisherfolks and barangay officials.

“Their support was never more evident than when they trooped to the Senate to lend us moral support during the budget hearing and during the protest march last Friday. It’s a show of force. They appreciate and realize that our intention is to give a better life to the community through employment and livelihood. We are vindicated by their support,” Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said those who joined a recent protest march do not represent the majority in the province.

“They cannot possibly represent 3,000 households supposedly affected by Apeco’s development because in the first place, the areas covered by the ecozone – Barangays Cozo, Esteves, Dibet, San Ildefonso, and Culat – only have a total of 1,336 households. So, their figure about 3,000 households purportedly supporting their cause is bloated and exaggerated,” he said.

Meanwhile, various groups issued a statement opposing the Apeco project and slammed Apeco officials and those who joined a pro-Apeco rally for resorting to dirty tactics. 

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), party-list group Anakpawis, Resist Apeco, Defend Aurora Movement, Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora and the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon said the pro-Apeco march was orchestrated by the people behind the project.

Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France said the 120-kilometer march staged by pro-Apeco groups were mobilized by top officials of Apeco headed by Sarmiento and deputy administrator Kent Avestruz. 

Anakpawis vice chairperson Fernando Hicap said they would file a petition before the Supreme Court next week to declare Apeco constitutional.