Bicol green groups hold rally vs ‘harmful’ infra projects, corruption

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Sept. 21 protests vs corruption

Environmental advocates rally outside the Sorsogon Provincial Capitol to denounce “corrupt and destructive” infrastructure projects, demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to reclamation and unconsulted developments in Bicol. (Photo and video by Michael B. Jaucian)

SORSOGON CITY — Environmental groups from across the Bicol Region staged a rally on Sunday in front of the Sorsogon Provincial Capitol to protest what they described as corrupt and harmful government-funded infrastructure projects.

Protesters carried tarpaulins with messages such as “Zaldy Co, pauwiin, panagutin, Ako Bicol patalsikin (Send Zaldy Co home, hold him accountable, oust Ako Bicol)!”, “Itigil mga proyektong infra na walang konsultasyon (Stop infrastructure projects without consultation)!”, “No to reclamation! No to coastal road in Sorsogon Bay!”, and “Ibalik ang ninakaw ng mga politiko (Return what the politicians stole)!”

READ: Speaker Dy to Co: Return to PH, face the probes

Led by the Bicol Coalition for Environment Protection (BCEP) and the Sorsogon Coalition for Environment Protection (SCEP), the demonstrators criticized these projects for endangering communities and degrading the environment.

“These projects are not only useless—they endanger lives and livelihoods,” said Arze Glipo, SCEP convenor, during the rally.

Glipo claimed that many infrastructure projects in the region have worsened flooding, destroyed ecosystems, and displaced residents. She urged the government to scrap questionable developments and instead invest in agriculture to promote food security and sustainable development.

Citing government data, BCEP spokesperson Pepito Mato said Bicol received P49.6 billion for 866 flood control projects, the second-highest allocation in the country. He alleged that firms linked to Albay Rep. Zaldy Co, including Sunwest, Hi-Tone, and Centerways Construction, were awarded contracts despite being flagged for poor performance on the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” platform.

One such project, a road in Bacacay, Albay, built by Sunwest, reportedly caused landslides and flooding in nearby villages. It allegedly leads to a private resort owned by Co. Residents also questioned the project’s lack of environmental permits.

SCEP member Fernando Policarpio criticized a coastal road and reclamation project for destroying mangroves and worsening floods. He said the project lacked public consultation and had harmed local fisherfolk.

Despite the implementation of multiple flood control projects in Sorsogon, Bulan, and Donsol, severe flooding reportedly continues to plague these areas.

The coalition called on Bicolanos to resist what they described as “irresponsible and corrupt” infrastructure development. They demanded greater transparency, stronger environmental safeguards, and genuine public participation in planning processes./coa