Hundreds of fishing families in what was once a productive marine area remain without livelihood nine months after a disastrous chemical spill in central Philippines. Despite earlier promises, the country’s environment authorities appear powerless to stop a powerful corporation from continuously discharging dangerous ethanol into the sea.
“Wet from the rain, hungry, and worried that slots in their desired program will run out,” PUP student Alvin Aligam described the suffering by schoolmates overnight. “And you know what’s worst? They are still not allowed inside the campus because the policy is they would only be allowed in two hours before office hours,” he reported.
“As we commemorate this landmark victory, let us remember that genuine sovereignty means not only defending our seas but also preserving our freedom to determine our own destiny,” Prof. Simbulan concluded. “The Philippines should be a bridge for peace in the region—not a launching pad for conflict,” he ended.
Few young Filipinos remember that the coastal towns of Bulacan province as well as southern Metro Manila towns of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite City were major sea salt producers in the Philippines. Bulacan province alone once produced 45 per cent of the country’s salt requirement as late as 1994.
“Marcos Jr. wants the public to believe that being an upper middle-income country and easing headline inflation means conditions are improving. But the reality on the ground is the exact opposite. Filipino families are being crushed by high prices, low incomes, and worsening joblessness. The situation is especially severe in the countryside, where peasants face both soaring production costs and rising household expenses,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said.
Bayan said at least 12 activists were injured last July 6 when members of the Philippine National Police used the steel edges of their shields to hit protesters.
Chief prosecutor Gerville Luistro denied that the impeachment trial is to persecute Duterte but to answer the question if accountability still means something in the Philippines.
With both Marcoleta and Estrada in jail and de la Rosa in hiding, pro-Duterte senators in the impeachment trial are decimated to eight: Christopher “Bong” Go, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Loren Legarda.
In agreeing to US$1.9 billion investment from OceanaGold Corporation to extend Didipio Gold-Copper Mine operations in Nueva Vizcaya until 2037, Marcos has once more sold out the Philippines.
From the island and mountains of Rizal to the watershed of Samar Island, wind energy projects are being built on the forests that protect communities from floods and landslides. The clearing has started, turbines are already being built, and downstream communities are already feeling the effects.
