Group dares DENR chief to speak up on Aurora eco-zone row

An alliance of fisher folk organizations has urged the Environment chief to speak up on the contested Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority, which the group described as a “major environmental catastrophe." Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) scored Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje for his alleged silence on the controversy. The group is opposing the project, claiming it would threaten the environment and the communities around the project site. Pamalakaya said DENR seems powerless against a “political dynasty" in the province that is supposedly behind the project. "Secretary Paje is not only missing the point. He is missing in action, too. The secretary of the DENR is on silent mode and it seems he does not want to be bothered by the growing opposition against the ambitious project of the ruling Angara political dynasty in Aurora province," said the Pamalakaya’s national chair Fernando Hicap. Hicap likewise wondered if the DENR has granted the project an environmental compliance certificate (ECC); and if so, what were the department’s bases for approving the project. The Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) was created by virtue of a law authored by Senator Edgardo Angara. His sister Bella Angara-Castillo is the governor of Aurora while the senator’s son Juan Edgardo Angara is the congressional representative of the province’s lone district. “The ASEZA does not represent the real interest of the people. It was made in the name of the ruling political dynasty in Aurora province that is why it should be billed as Angara Special Economic Zone Authority because it is only meant for the powerful Angara clan," the group maintained. Sen. Angara earlier said the creation of the ASEZA was aimed at providing young people in rural communities with jobs to help develop the countryside. The economic zone covers the entire area of barangays Esteves, Dibet and Dibacong, all in the municipality of Casiguran in Aurora province. "The entire area shall be developed and operated by ASEZA as self-reliant, self-sustaining business centers, which may be industrial, commercial, agro-industrial and even financial in nature," the senator earlier said. "The Aurora Ecozone shall be provided with transportation, telecommunications and other facilities needed to attract legitimate and productive investments for the people of Aurora Province as well as its neighboring towns and cities," he added. Church-based and militant groups earlier said they will look into the effects of the ASEZA to local farmers and indigenous communities. Local fishermen have maintained the ASEZA project will deprive farmers, fishermen and indigenous people of some 13,000 hectares of prime agricultural land. Jerrie Abella/LBG, GMANews.TV