La Union townsfolk oppose river dike

A boatman lights one of 60 kerosene lamps along the Baroro River as a sign of protest against a planned dike. —WILLIE LOMIBAO

BACNOTAN, La Union — Town residents are opposing the construction of a dike along the Baroro River here, saying it would destroy the river’s natural beauty and deprive farmers and fishermen of their livelihood.

The dike being built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would also destroy mangroves, nipa groves and coconut trees along the river, said Cesar Ocampo, executive vice president of the La Union Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants Association at the launch here of the “Sigaw ng Ilog” (Cry of the River) campaign on Jan. 13.

River torches

The protesters took a river cruise along the Baroro River and planted mangroves at the river bank. About 60 kerosene lamps on floating bamboo nodes along the Baroro River were also lighted.

“I grew up here and there has not been a big flood. With the construction of the dike, it will only trap run-off water from the rice fields and the hills because the dike will disrupt its natural flow to the river,” Ocampo said.

The DPWH had completed the first phase of the project, which is on the southern bank of the river, stretching from the mouth of the river to the Baroro Bridge here.

Ocampo added that the second phase, which stretches from this town to San Gabriel town in the east, was scheduled for construction this year.

No consultation

“We were not consulted about this project. We were informed only after they had started it,” Ocampo said.

Crisanto Palabay, chair of the Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union (Coalition to Save the Beauty of La Union), said the Sigaw ng Ilog was part of an environmental campaign that also protested the building of two coal-fired power plants near Luna town, one of the province’s tourism sites.

Luna is the site of the three-century-old Baluarte Tower, which served as an observation post by the Spanish colonial government against pirate attacks in the now West Philippine Sea.

Steven Angelo, president of the youth group Lupon ng mga Indibidwal na Nangangalaga ng Kalikasan, said, “If our environment will die, we will also die. It is our responsibility to protect it.” –Gabriel Cardinoza