Residents and fisherfolk in Sitio Kalawang, Barangay Sinisian West, Lemery, Batangas are opposing the reclamation and dredging of their shoreline being carried out by Lemery Cement Silo Tank Corporation. They said operations began July 20 to 21. On July 20, two police officers arrived to speak with and persuade residents to agree to the project.
The cement company is owned by COHACO Merchandising and Development Corporation of Engr. Napoleon Co. The dredging and reclamation work is being carried out by J.E. MANALO & CO., Incorporated (JEMCO).
According to the Kalawang Fisherfolk Association, the company prohibited fishing to make way for the operation. The company also removed boats without permission.
They said the company and the local government held no meaningful consultation with the directly affected communities and could not show any permit for the operation. They rejected the offered ₱10,000 compensation, saying it was insufficient to replace their livelihood, sustenance, and the future of families that depend on the sea. They also questioned the contents of the reported Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted in the community.
“This is gravely disrupting fisherfolk’s livelihood and destroying the environment. It also has a major adverse effect on the health of the residents,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines)-Southern Tagalog said. It said the noise of the cement plant and the backhoes wake up the residents who may one day wake up with no longer any home and livelihood.
Pamalakaya-Southern Tagalog held government agencies accountable for allowing the endangerment of residents and fisherfolk in the name of company profit. “Stop disregarding the widespread destruction of the environment and the people’s livelihood!” it said.
The youth group Anakbayan-Batangas and the environmental group Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog expressed support for the struggle of the fisherfolk of Sitio Kalawang.
“This is a clear example of false development founded on evicting people, destroying the environment, and amassing profit for a few giant corporations,” said Anakbayan-Batangas. It added that big businesses expanding their control over coastlines and marine resources steadily strips small fisherfolk of their rights.
Facing the company’s threat to life and livelihood, Pamalakaya-Southern Tagalog said fisherfolk are justified in firmly confronting the destruction of their docking areas and the ban on fishing in their own shore. It holds accountable all those involved in the destruction of the environment and livelihood.
“Defending the sea is defending life. Defending fisherfolk’s livelihood is defending the rights of the entire people,” Anakbayan-Batangas said.
