MANILA, Philippines - Fisherfolk and peasant groups on Friday welcomed the partylist legislators' bill seeking the repeal of Republic Act No. 10083 or known as the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Port Act of 2010.
Anti-Apeco groups said they are supportive of the House Bill 257 authored by Anakpawis partylist Rep. Fernando Hicap.
The bill was co-authored by Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, Gabriela Representatives Emmy de Jesus and Luzviminda Ilagan, Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers and James Mark Terry Riddon of the Kabataan partylist.
The bill questions the decision of the National Economic Development Authority for giving the go-signal for the ecozone project to proceed despite different issues raised against Apeco.
Some of the issues against the Apeco included the loss of livelihood and environmental concerns and grave violations of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Defend Aurora Movement convener Salvador France said the seven years of Apeco brought difficulties and uncertainties to marginalized people.
He cited that the proponents of Apeco have limited thousdands of fishermen and farmers to only 105 hectares of the more than 12,000 hectares of productive lands and fishing communities in Casiguran.