|
|
 |
現地NGOによるプレスリリース
「サンロケダムに反対する住民らが 大規模な集会・デモ」 （2002.08.24） |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002年8月24日
コルディリェラ民族連合（CPA）
サンロケダムへの反対の声 パンガシナンで激化
サンロケダムへの反対闘争が続くなか、 住民が PEOPLE'S SUMMIT を開催
In protest and in a show of force, 1, 600 Pangasinenses gathered in Dagupan, Pangasinan last August 24, 2002 in a People's Summit calling for a stop to San Roque Dam, and to reiterate the demand to abort the impoundment, demand compensation to the dam-affected families and to nullify the contract between the SRPC and the National Power Corporation. |
|
|
|
This was also partly in response to the "comment" of the Pangasinan Provincial Governor Victor Agbayani that the opposition was only a very small group during a dialogue held by representatives of affected gold panners with him on August 9, 2002.
Mr. Jose Doton, the Chairperson of TIMMAWA (Alliance of farmers along the Agno River) called for unity and action among goldpanners in pressing for their demands for proper compensation and sustainable livelihood. Most of the participants of the Summit were goldpanners of the municipalities of San Nicolas and San Manuel of Pangasinan.
|
|
＜People's Summit＞
会場となったパンガシナン州の中心都市ダグパンの教会施設には、1600人が集った（2002年8月 FoE Japan撮影） |
|
|
|
People's Summit後、ダグパン市の中心でデモ
プラカードには 「砂金採りは私たちの権利」
デモは約2時間続いた
デモ後、トラックやジプニー14、5台で家路につく住民たち |
|
Representative Satur Ocampo of BAYAN MUNA graced the occasion and delivered the Keynote address. He highlighted the onerous terms of the contract of the San Roque dam explaining that with the financial obligation of NPC to SRPC, it would be cheaper not to operate the dam and pay back the capital expense of SRPC, including interest payment if NPC will have to abide by the terms of canceling the agreement.
According to Ocampo, this will save the Filipino people from paying higher electricity from SRPC, which will just add up to existing electricity surplus at a tremendous financial, environmental, economic and social cost not only of in Pangasinan but to whole Filipino consumers.
Bishop Alberto Ramento of Iglesia Filipina Independencia(IFI) - Dagupan-Tarlac Jurisdiction gave a solidarity message, pointing out the continuing social injustices with the implementation of development projects which do not serve the welfare and interest of the poor. He commented that the prevailing political, economic and social order must be change in order for the majority to have a better life.
"In allowing the impounding, the GMA regime clearly reveals its adherence to the interest of a few foreign capital groups before the welfare of the affected communities and the Filipino people. This only proves the insincerity of the national government and the NPC to the plight of affected communities," said Joan Carling, Chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance.
"We urge the Philippine and Japanese governments to order the halt of the ongoing impoundment, to nullify the contract with SRPC and to halt the remaining funding releases. The NPC has to provide genuine sustainable livelihood sources to the relocated farmers and gold panners. They have to compensate the 3 year loss of income of gold panners. The dam operation must not push through as it will only bring more difficulties for those in the upstream and the communities here in Pangasinan," Carling continued.
Support from various sectors
Fidel Castro of Alyansa ng mga Magsasaka sa Gitnang Luzon(AMGL) stated that the irrigation project will affect the food security of tenant farmers in areas of the canal construction. Productive lands will again be submerged in tons of concrete and the land use will be converted not for the interests of the people but for a few individuals.
Castro said, "it is cheaper for the government to rehabilitate existing irrigation canals and build deep wells for the farmers, rather than to build the irrigation component of the dam on which farmers will again be burdened with paying irrigation fees and the Filipino people with another loan. The irrigation component of the SRDP has a budget of US $ 200 million which is being applied for foreign funding as loan."
Anakbayan Pangasinan Chairperson Ronald Tucay said that the oppressive dam also affects the youth. Furthermore he said that SRPC is fooling when they say they are going to give development projects to the affected communities. Until now, there are no implications on the said projects.
The SVD Ministry expressed its support and said that the ministry commits as usher to a just and social order, raise the following issue and concerns. SVD also urges the government to stop the operation of the San Roque Dam and since it will only produce excess electricity that the people do not need.
After the summit, the participants marched along the major streets of Dagupan City with placards denouncing the dam project.
## Cordillera Peoples Alliance - Public Information Commission
|
|
|
|
