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PAGTATAP FOUNDATION, INC.
c/o Dr. Robert Peter Alojipan
OPD Makati Medical Center
Makati, Metro Manila
Philippines
February 07, 2003
HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
Philippines
Dear Madam:
On April 25, 2002, you honored Pandan, Antique's town fiesta by gracing our town's festivities with your presence. You highlighted your momentous visit with your proclamation that the Northwest Panay Peninsula be designated as a "Protected Area" pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586, the NIPAS Act of 1992.
Your humanitarian benevolence and foresight assured the five municipalities of Pandan and Libertad in Antique, and of Malay, Buruanga, and Nabas in Aklan of their Northwest Panay Peninsula's invaluable resource as:
a) the only source of potable water for three municipalities;
b) the last significant tracts of lowland rainforest within the West Visayas Biogeographical Region;
c) a potential for eco-tourism due to the presence of Malumpati and Kenyang falls that serve as ideal recreational sites with six major caves within the area;
d) its forests harbor diverse species of both flora and fauna that include critically endangered birds and mammals unique to Panay Island such as the Visayan warty pig, spotted deer, and golden-crowned flying fox; the Visayan tarictic hornbill, writhed-bill hornbill, Negros bleeding-heart pigeon, Philippine hawk eagle, white-throated jungle flycatcher, Visayan flowerpecker, and the Visayan water monitor, to name a few;
e) a potential for medicines, foods, fibers, oils, and construction materials; and
f) the area has been identified by former Environment Secretary Alvarez as an Extremely High-Urgent site for conservation of the country's biological diversity.
Unfortunately, no sooner had your proclamation taken root and the Northwest Panay Peninsula's "protected area" is already in danger of contamination because the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) wants to build its diesel power plant in Patria, which is in close proximity to the "protected area."
The residents of Patria and the neighboring sitios are against the power plant. PAGTATAP has manifested its support of the barangays' opposition by writing to the local government officials and sending them research findings on the ill effects of the diesel power plant. The people from the municipality of Pandan banded with Patria's residents and have been voicing their objections through letters, meetings, rallies, signs, streamers, signed petitions, and dialogues with their local government officials.
Despite their protestations, the local government officials are still in favor of the power plant. They are telling the people that the decision is up to them. Meanwhile, NAPOCOR has already cleared some underbrush for the power plant's transmission lines. Some of the properties have been bushwhacked without their owners' permission.
If we let the elected officials go against the people's wishes, then we willingly victimize ourselves to corruption and/or become part of it because we cannot shield ourselves as "innocent bystanders." The consequences of our passivity and acquiesence will leave their mark the rest of our lives and beyond. Simply put, NAPOCOR's proposed diesel power plant should never become a reality in Patria and in any part of the Northwest Panay Peninsula.
As native Pandananons, our PAGTATAP members are trying to help our townspeople combat NAPOCOR's intrusion into their peaceful and healthy existence. We want to make sure that the rights of our town mates are protected and respected.
Madam President, please show the frustrated people of Patria that democracy is alive and well under your administration. We are putting our trust and faith in you because if you have shown your concern and protectiveness towards a forest, the birds, animals, and plants, how much more for the preservation of human lives and the protection of their rights.
I have the power to remain,
Most respectfully yours,
(SGD.)
Robert Peter Alojipan, M.D.
President
PAGTATAP Foundation, Inc.
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Please visit our site at http://www.sehdi.com/patria or http://patria.pandan-antique.com and our Bulalakaw Newsletter at http://www.bulalakaw.net to know more why we oppose the NAPOCOR Diesel Power Plant proposed to be built in Patria, Pandan, Antique.
Pandan, Antique is one of the municipalities covered in the "NORTHWEST PANAY PENINSULA" that was newly declared as a "NATURAL PARK" and "PROTECTED AREA" pursuant to "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586 - NIPAS ACT OF 1992".
You will find the article on the following sites:
http://www.gov.ph/news/default.asp?newsid=1205
from WWW.GOV.PH
entitled "GMA declares Northwest Panay Peninsula as natural park"
http://www1.denr.gov.ph/article/articleview/169/1/62/
from WWW.DENR.GOV.PH
entitled "GMA declares Panay Peninsula as Natural Park"
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