Korean shipyard project faces protest
By Allan Macatuno - Inquirer
SUBIC, ZAMBALES—The construction of what is deemed as the country’s largest ship building facility here was met with protests by at least 200 families who are going to be displaced by the project.
Residents of Sitio Agusuhin here formed human barricades to prevent clearing operations on a 230-hectare lot along the Redondo Peninsula, the site of the 2.3 million-square meter shipyard here. It is within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Members of the Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Residente ng Agusuhin (Samanra) expressed their dismay over the failure of Hanjin shipping company officials to give proper compensation for their houses and a relocation site.
More than 70 houses and other government structures, including schools, have already been demolished since February this year, according to Teresita Ogayon, a resident.
“We are willing to leave our place as long as they will give us just compensation and assure us that there will be a permanent site for relocation as they have promised,” Ogayon said.
She said some of the houses were demolished after residents sold them for low prices to the Korean shipping firm but the proposed relocation site has not been readied yet.
This rendered some 150 residents homeless. They were also forced to stay in their ruined houses while waiting to be transferred to the relocation area.
Residents placed several streamers in the area condemning the “unjust and deliberate destruction” of their property without being compensated properly.
They also denounced the demolition of three public school buildings in the area despite their strong opposition.
“Our local officials cannot even assure us that children here will be able to return to school ...,” said Luvidico Salcedo, another resident and spokesperson of Samanra.
Tension gripped the area after the provincial government sent troops from the Special Action Force.
The shipping firm also deployed 12 private security guards.
Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II appealed for an amicable settlement.
Sonny Pumarada, Hanjin project coordinator, said there is no forced demolition but only dismantling because some of the houses have been bought and paid for by the Korean shipping firm.
OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK
Agusuhin Demolition Stopped
SUBIC, ZAMBALES—The construction of what is deemed as the country’s largest ship building facility here was met with protests by at least 200 families who are going to be displaced by the project.
Residents of Sitio Agusuhin here formed human barricades to prevent clearing operations on a 230-hectare lot along the Redondo Peninsula, the site of the 2.3 million-square meter shipyard here. It is within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Members of the Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Residente ng Agusuhin (Samanra) expressed their dismay over the failure of Hanjin shipping company officials to give proper compensation for their houses and a relocation site.
More than 70 houses and other government structures, including schools, have already been demolished since February this year, according to Teresita Ogayon, a resident.
“We are willing to leave our place as long as they will give us just compensation and assure us that there will be a permanent site for relocation as they have promised,” Ogayon said.
She said some of the houses were demolished after residents sold them for low prices to the Korean shipping firm but the proposed relocation site has not been readied yet.
This rendered some 150 residents homeless. They were also forced to stay in their ruined houses while waiting to be transferred to the relocation area.
Residents placed several streamers in the area condemning the “unjust and deliberate destruction” of their property without being compensated properly.
They also denounced the demolition of three public school buildings in the area despite their strong opposition.
“Our local officials cannot even assure us that children here will be able to return to school ...,” said Luvidico Salcedo, another resident and spokesperson of Samanra.
Tension gripped the area after the provincial government sent troops from the Special Action Force.
The shipping firm also deployed 12 private security guards.
Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II appealed for an amicable settlement.
Sonny Pumarada, Hanjin project coordinator, said there is no forced demolition but only dismantling because some of the houses have been bought and paid for by the Korean shipping firm.
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