ZAMBALES ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT OYON BAY, OTHER MARINE RESERVES
- Media Communications
- Dec 11, 2024
- 2 min read
Candelaria, Zambales – The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), together with nine Zambales-based organizations, conducted a consolidation activity to officially establish the campaign entitled “Oyon Bay Ilipyas, Hawanin Ana!" (Save Oyon Bay Now!), today, December 12.
Oyon Bay is a protected seascape and landscape under Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. Zambaleños have been fighting for Oyon Bay's protection for more than three decades, as San Miguel Global Power (SMGP)'s coal-fired plant is disrupting their lives and livelihood.
Last November, PMCJ held a forum on the coal spill in Masinloc, brought about by Typhoon Kristine, which was one of the six consecutive typhoons that swept the country in less than a month. Communities have had enough of bearing the brunt of climate disasters, and lack of accountability from the government.
"We have been fighting against SMGP's coal-fired power plant for more than three decades now. While we blatantly express our opposition to the two units of expansion, we are taking all the chances we can get to strengthen the fight. We proudly launch the campaign as it shows how the Zambaleños are one with the struggle to end fossil fuels, and to push for clean energy," said Joey Marabe of Disaster, Emergency, Land, Traffic Assistance Communicators - Panatag (Deltacom - PANATAG).
Along with Deltacom-PANATAG are the other organizations namely: Zambales Environment Defense Advocates Association (ZEDAA); New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association (NMFA); Zambales Lingap Kalikasan (ZALIKA); Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales (CCOS); Zambales Movement for Climate Justice (ZMCJ); Sta. Cruz Fisherfolks and Fishermen Cooperative; Samahang Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Brgy. Taltal (SAMMBAT); Samahang Mangingisda ng Lucapon; Zambales North Payao Association (ZAMBANORPA); some individuals from Barangays Tapuac and Taltal; and the PMCJ.
"Aside from opposing the coal-fired power plant expansion, the campaign also calls for the halt of its operations entirely. We also aim to investigate its effects on the environment, lives, and livelihood of the nearby communities. We want to properly hold the perpetrators accountable for corrupting our mountains through mining, and destroying our seas through these dirty energy projects," said Laica Rayel, Food, Land, Water, and Climate Change Campaign Officer of the PMCJ.
The organizations are committed to ramp up the fight objectively and scientifically, recognizing that the change must be systematic. They planned for the activities of the campaign, as well as the formal points of unity, legal and administrative actions moving forward. ###
FOR INQUIRIES:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
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