Oppose Bulacan Aerotropolis project – fishers group to NHCP

Oppose Bulacan Aerotropolis project – fishers group to NHCP

Manila, Philippines – The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) urged the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to express its opposition to the 2,500-hectare Aerotropolis project, including the New Manila International Project being pushed by the San Miguel Corporation. The group said that the Bulakan town and especially the Our Lady of Assumption Church are rich in national historical heritage which will be threatened with destruction by the construction of the said project at the coast of Manila Bay.

“Istorikal ang bayan ng Bulakan, lalo na ang simbahan at mga pinagkapanganakan ng bayaning si Marcelo Del Pilar at Gregorio Del Pilar. Ito rin ay naging battleground sa pagitan ng Kastila at Britanya noong 1760s. Dapat itong protektahan kontra sa mga proyektong katulad ng Aerotropolis,” Anakpawis former representative and PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando “Ka Pando” Hicap said in a press statement.

The church was installed with a historical marker in 2007 by the NHCP, alongwith the birthplace of Gregorio Del Pilar, while the ancestral house of Marcelo Del Pilar was transformed into a museum and monument was placed on Gregorio’s tomb.

He cited that around 8,000 Filipino guerillas fought against the British invaders in front of the church and repelled them to Manila. This was the legacy of Bulakenyos who victoriously fought against foreign invaders.

“Mismong ang buong bayan ng Bulakan ay pambansang yaman sa kasaysayan, dapat itong pagandahin at hindi burahin o i-transporma bilang aerotropolis kung saan mabubura ang pamana ng mga Bulakenyo,” the fisherfolk leader said.

The group earlier warned that the San Miguel project could trigger disastrous flooding in Bulakan and nearby towns. The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office included the Bulakan town as part of flood-prone area on their Hazard and Vulnerability Map. It is also vulnerable to storm surges and high tide and flood due to ponding. Moreover, its vulnerability to an intensity 8 earthquake, is classified as “very destructive to devastating groundshaking.” It has also high susceptibility to liquefaction or loss of strength of the soil.

“Hindi lang kontra sa karapatan at kabuhayan ng mga apektadong mangingisda ang proyektong Aerotropolis ng San Miguel, kontra rin ito sa kasaysayan at makabayang pamana ng mga Bulakenyo,” Hicap ended. ###

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