Ecozone protesters reach Aurora capital

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Hundreds of Dumagats, farmers and fishermen protesting the establishment of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (Apeco) in Casiguran town mounted a protest caravan, completing half of their route on Thursday.

The “Kalbaryo ng Bayan (the Nation’s Calvary),” which left Barangay (village)Bianoan in Casiguran at 9 a.m., reached Barangay Dinadiawan in Dipaculao town past 3 p.m., according to Fr. Joefran Talaban.

Protesters alternately rode and marched on foot, stopping at Dinalungan and Dipaculao to hold rallies, the Casiguran parish priest said.

Residents supporting the Apeco project, a brainchild of Sen. Edgardo Angara, put up posters along the route and around Baler, the capital of Aurora.

“Apeco is supported by genuine Aurora residents,” the posters read.

Talaban said the protesters will spend the night at the Baler Church. The caravan was scheduled to proceed to Maria Aurora and San Luis towns the next day and return to Baler for a meeting with provincial officials.

The caravan kicked off a day after the clergy of Aurora gathered at Bianoan parish to attend this year’s Mass of the Chrism, in which they committed to continue helping communities.

Bishops Julio Labayen and Rolando Tria Tirona of the Prelature of Infanta, Quezon, had opposed the project and urged the senator, his sister, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, and his son, Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara to stop plans by Apeco to displace families from home lots, farms and fishing grounds.

Apeco president Roberto Mathay is in Taiwan and could not issue a statement, according to his staffer when the Inquirer called.

Senator Angara said Apeco aims to bring progress to northern Aurora through agri-industrial and tourism investments. Apeco, which faces the Pacific Ocean, is being fitted with an airport, seaport, highway and other facilities. <strong><em>Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon</em></strong>