Following last week’s public hearing led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), where EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon announced their declogging and desilting project for the Imbang, Madalaga, and Malogo Rivers will proceed, environmental groups and the local fishing community came out against the project.
Fr. Ernie Larida, who represented the Green Alert Network, called local politicians “unprofessional” and “unethical” after allegedly attempting to dismiss organizations seeking transparency during the public hearing.
Meanwhile, the Group of Environmental Socialists slammed presenters at the hearing, who reportedly kept mentioning “the project was already approved by the national government” and “if you have clarification, ask the national.” In addition, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement claimed dredging activities and black sand mining are both unlawful practices in the municipality.
In terms of the local fishing community, the EB Magalona Small Fisherfolks Alliance (EBMASFA) claimed they were not informed on the project.
“We were never informed nor consulted on this important matter,” said EBMASFA chair Glenda Garcia.
Last week, in response to environmental groups that attended the hearing and expressed opposition to the project, Malacon called them “ignorant of the project.”
“They kept on asking the same questions, some of which were irrelevant and nonsense,” he stated./WDJ