Young people protest vs Bulacan landfill

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SAN JOSE DEL MONTE City, April 25, 2012—Hundreds of youth protesters called for the closure of the V.G. Landfill in Bulacan in a rally held last April 20.

A motorcade was held from two different districts and merged at one of the gates of the landfill for an ecumenical service.

Fr. Anacleto Ignacio, parish priest of San Pedro Apostol in Brgy. Tungkong Mangga who is also president of “Kilusang Tutol sa V.G. Puyat Landfill at ibang LGUs Inc. (KILOS)” said their protest was held because of the failure of the provincial and city government and DENR to close the landfill despite repeated calls for its shutdown.

Protesters made a human barricade at one of the gates to stop any garbage truck in entering the said facility.

Some 300 young people from the newly formed Student and Youth Network Oppose (SAY NO) to V.G. Puyat Landfill were among the people who joined the barricade.

SAY NO is an organization composed of young people from different parishes, barangays and youth groups which mainly focuses on fighting against putting up landfills in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Ignacio also said that the landfill, being privately owned would not give service to the community but rather, will just be used to generate profits.

Other local government units in Bulacan have been availing the use of the landfill and lately it opened to accept garbage from Caloocan City to achieve their agreement with LandBank to produce methane gas.

Sharaigne Chairaya, a youth leader from San Pedro Apostol Parish said they knew it was risky to join the rally but the youth wanted to voice out their stand against this issue.

They believed that the landfill will greatly affect the youth sector and future generations of San Joseños.

The landfill is situated near a residential community and water treatment facility of the city’s water district.

The proximity of the landfill to the water treatment facility poses a high risk of pollution and contamination that can cause air and water borne diseases.

To keep the crowd going from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., a youth gig was held where young people showcased religious, cultural and pop dances and song numbers.

Protesters voluntarily dispersed after the prayer vigil done from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. the following day, April 21. (Ryan Rayos/Jandel Posion)

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