By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Save Hinoba-an Movement advocacy group demonstrated at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol yesterday, protesting the Southern Negros Industrial Estate project that converted around 300 hectares of agricultural land into industrial space in municipal Barangays Obong and Salvacion, in order to accommodate for a ship-breaking facility.

In addition, land was also similarly converted in the town’s Barangay Bacuyangan.

Group spokesperson Jimwell Canedo claimed the project would displace at least 500 residents, noting some are beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The group is also demanding the release of all the details from the memorandum of agreement signed between Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and executives of Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Inc., which took place last year.

Earlier this year, Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao vowed each resettled family would receive 200 square meters of land, part of a proposed 14 hectares of relocation area.

Previously, local environmentalist group Green Alert Negros (GAN) also slammed the project, citing research regarding ship recycling yards in other countries, which revealed workers and the public were exposed to health and environmental hazards.

They also pointed out, the hull of a ship can cause high levels of contamination to soil, air, marine, and freshwater resources in nearby areas, which could adversely affect the livelihood of local communities.

The group also contradicted the governor on his projection of future environmental projects, previously saying, “This can only promise us a cheap-paying job in tough and dangerous conditions.”/PLL, WDJ