Hundreds march through Bulacan floods in protest vs corruption
MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of residents, farmers and fisherfolk waded through flooded roads in Bulacan on Monday, August 31, to protest corruption in flood-control projects and reclamation developments that they blame for worsening the province's chronic flooding.
The National Heroes Day protest was led by the anti-corruption alliance Kilos Bulacan, with members of fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, farmers' group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Anakpawis Party-list joining the march in Malolos.
The groups said extreme weather triggered the recent downpours but argued that flawed flood-control projects and environmental destruction have magnified their impact.
"Napapanahon ang inilunsad na protesta ng mga residente, magsasaka, at mangingisda sa Bulacan para muling manawagan ng hustisya at pananagutan sa lahat ng sangkot sa maanomalya at palpak na flood control, ganundin sa malaganap na pandarambong ng kalikasan na nagpapalubog ng mga komunidad," Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said.
("The protest by residents, farmers and fisherfolk in Bulacan comes at a crucial time to again demand justice and accountability from all those involved in anomalous and failed flood-control projects, as well as widespread environmental destruction that is submerging communities.")
Pamalakaya also pointed to the 2,500-hectare New Manila International Airport development in Bulakan town, which involves reclamation along the Manila Bay coast.
The group claimed the project has displaced nearly 1,000 fishing families in Barangay Taliptip and resulted in the removal of more than 600 mangrove trees.
KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos, a Malolos resident, said farmers continue to suffer losses from repeated flooding.
"Farmers and residents of Bulacan have long endured the repeated flooding caused by these useless, anomalous flood-control projects. While corrupt officials and big corporations plunder the public funds and our environment, ordinary people suffer," Ramos said.
"We demand justice in the form of genuine mitigation measures, accountability, and appropriate compensation for this systematic disaster that caused unmeasurable losses," he added.
Bulacan has remained heavily flooded after successive tropical cyclones and days of southwest monsoon, or habagat, rains. The province is under a state of calamity.
Mass in the floods
Floodwaters have also reached historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, where parish activities continued despite the inundation.
Photos posted by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish showed people attending Mass and baptisms and holding funeral Masses despite floodwaters around parts of the church.
The church was already inundated Sunday as persistent habagat rains soaked Bulacan.
- Latest
- Trending
