Dumagats favor Apeco
- Published : Monday, June 11, 2012 00:00
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CASIGURAN, Aurora -- At least 90 percent of residents of Bgy. San Indefonso in this town are in favor of the ecozone’s operation after a successful community consultation/forum conducted by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) held at covered court last Thursday.
More than 300 participants, including Dumagat tribe leaders, were delighted as shown from their grins after guest speakers had deliberately explained and answered all of their questions pertaining to the emergence of APECO into their locality.
Kent Avestruz, deputy administrator of Apeco, explained the allegations of displacement of local residents,land-grabbing and non-consultation with affected sectors once Apeco will be fully operational.
In a five-hour consultation with Dumagat chieftains in San Ildefonso, Avestruz said land-grabbing and evicting the tribesmen from their lands are not part of the plan to develop the ecozone.
He assured the Dumagats they will not evicted from their ancestral lands once the development of the economic zone in Casiguran starts.
Avestruz stressed further that there will be more jobs to be created for Casiguranens specially if eco-tourism industry, particularly in San Ildefonso, starts operating.
The Apeco management under president Robbie Mathay would help the Dumagats protect and preserve their ancestral lands through projects that promote eco-tourism.
Avestruz said that instead of driving away the tribesmen, they will be tapped as tour guides and forest guards to preserve the ecological balance of the place.
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