Consumers Domain
By Ian Seruelo

Adlaw-Handuraw

“ So live that your memories will be part of your happiness. ”

—unknown

Yesterday, March 3, the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy or RISE held its day-long program dubbed as Adlaw-Handuraw.   It was a day meant to commemorate the victory of the people that participated in the movement to oppose the entry of KEPCO in Iloilo .   KEPCO is a Korean firm that proposed to build a 100 MW coal-fired power plant in Banate.

A year ago, March 2, 2004, the peak of the campaign led by RISE was a big mobilization that was timed to a session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the Province of Iloilo where its members are scheduled to cast their vote on the controversial project.   The KEPCO proposal was rejected on the grounds that as per RISE assertion it posed a risked to the environment and to people's health among other reasons.

Now as two more companies, Mirant Philippines and DM Consuji are planning to put up the same type of plant in Concepcion and Barotac Viejo respectively, Adlaw-Handuraw is also aimed at renewing and strengthening the people's resolve to oppose such dirty projects.  

The day's activity started at three assembly points – St. Clements, UP Iloilo City Campus and Plaza Libertad.   The groups then held a “March for the Environment” up to Provincial Capitol Grounds.

Upon arrival Archbishop Angel Lagdameo presided over a concelebrated mass.   Lagdameo.   The Catholic Chuch has been very vocal on its opposition to the proposed coal-fired power plants. The Jaro Archdiocesan Social-Action Center , headed by Msgr. Meliton Oso, is an active member and convenor of RISE

Then an Ecumenical Service followed as other Churches have joined hands to push for development that does not compromise the welfare of the community.   A protest rally was then held.

In the evening, a concert entitled “Amlig-Musika” featured the acoustic singer Noel Cabangon who is well known for his popular piece “Kanlungan”.   Several local bands also participated.

Below, this column is featuring the solidarity message of Rep. Renato “Ka Rene” B. Magtubo of the Partido ng Manggagawa Partylist read during the rally.   Ka Rene as well as Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel have filed separate resolutions in the Lower House to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the entry of the coal plants in Iloilo .

“Greetings of solidarity to the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy and to all present in today's momentous people's mobilization!

“How I earnestly hope to be with you today as you commemorate a very significant victory and an admirable feat in uniting the different sectors of the Ilonggos that led to the rejection of the proposed KEPCO coal plant last year.

“It is fitting that we give tribute to the very people who give life to our movement as undeniably it is only when the people realize their inherent power and do concerted efforts that we can effectively push for important reforms and institute meaningful changes in this seemingly hopeless system in the country.

“Now as you face a new and bigger formidable foe, a foe amass in resources, lobby money and connections with the dreadful but powerful trapos, you can only survive and victor with the very same weapon you have utilized a year ago – the support of the people. And indeed the people of RISE and all the organizations and institutions who are part of it understand this thought by heart.

“Issues on the power sector are issues of the Filipino workers.   The problems that plague the power industry as well as other public utilities have affected directly the labor sector. For who else comprise the biggest fraction of consumers and taxpayers but the majority of the Filipinos who are workers, workers in the urban and rural areas.

“We, workers, who earn meager income eroded by the rising cost of living, feel the heavy burden of the increasing rates of electricity and even of water.   Certainly the promise of privatization which is the lowering of rates and improvement of services has failed. Five years since the passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA and in the case of water almost eight years since the privatization of the MWSS, we ended up with higher rates and the same or even worse inefficient services.  

“On top of that, privatization has further watered down government intervention and consequently people's participation in important processes.   These processes could have been a venue for the people, civil society groups like RISE and other stakeholders in public utility undertakings to participate, provide meaningful inputs and share in charting the direction of their respective regions.                

“This Representation is in solidarity with your advocacies.   Partido ng Manggagawa as an advocate of democratization of the different spheres of the economy supports your call for participatory and transparent processes in the power sector.   We commit to the protection of the environment and people's health – to sustainable development. We pledge to defend and safeguard the sources of livelihood of the people.   

“Sa muli, mula sa hanay ng manggagawa, isang mainit ng pagbati sa inyong lahat!”

(For comments and suggestions please email ianseruelo@yahoo.com or send text message to 0919-3486337.)