3,000 townsfolk back economic zone

Thursday, 12 April, 2012 Written by Ferdie G. Domingo

CASIGURAN — Some 3,000 residents of this remote coastal town want themselves counted in a show of support to the Aurora Special Economic Zone.

At a recent assembly led by Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Vice Mayor Lordan Roxas and other local executives were joined by Dumagat tribalfolk, women and students in a forum at the multi-purpose hall in Barangay Bianoan.

The assembly drew up a manifesto “pushing for change and progress and also uphold the people’s social rights to have decent jobs, orderly lives, a peaceful society, a healthy and balanced environment and progress responsive to social justice.”

Roberto Mathay, Apeco president and chief executive officer, welcomed the show of unity and cooperation for peace, respect for human rights and the progress and development of Aurora.

“Apeco signifies the growth and development of Aurora and in the course of developing the province, we go through lawful processes,” he told Manila Standard.

Mathay said the ecozone was standing by its commitment to uphold the indigenous peoples’ right to their ancestral lands.

He said development included the concreting of unpaved sections of the 120-kilometer Baler-Casiguran Road, the expansion of the Casiguran airport, establishment of an agro-industrial park and other infrastructure to attract investors in food processing, mariculture, footwear, call center and other job-generating industries.

Mathay said tourism is being integrated in a masterplan for hotels and retirement houses along with community housing, fish cages for aquaculture and seaweed plantations and livelihood training for high-value crops.

Kent Avestruz, Apeco deputy administrator, said other localities in the northern part of the province will also benefit from the ecozone.
“With Apeco, we will not only have good roads and transport systems but also an improved economic situation in this part of Aurora,” he said.

Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/04/12/3000-townsfolk-back-economic-zone/

Aurora Economic Zone Gains Support

By MARK ANTHONY N. MANUEL

March 15, 2012, 4:42pm

CASIGURAN, Aurora — Amid strong opposition from religious and community groups in the country, at least 3,000 residents of this northernmost town signed here on Tuesday afternoon a manifesto supporting the Aurora Special Economic Zone (APECO).

The manifesto stated that all those who support development in Aurora will serve as “main actors” in pushing for change and progress and also uphold the people’s social rights to have decent jobs, orderly lives, a peaceful society, a healthy and balanced environment and progress responsive to social justice.”

Roberto Mathay, APECO president and chief executive officer, said the manifesto is not only an expression of support for the ecozone but also a show of unity and cooperation for peace, respect for human rights and the progress and development of the province.

“APECO signifies nothing but the growth and development of Aurora and in the course of developing the province, we go through lawful processes,” he said.

Prior to the signing of the manifesto, Mathay explained that while proponents of the ecozone intend to develop the town and northern Aurora, this will not go beyond what is allowed by law.

Meanwhile, religious and other groups led by Fr. Joefran Talaban are organizing Internal Solidarity Mission (ISM) to call for international and local support against APECO.

“With the on-going plans of creating the eco-zone of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) from 500 to 12, 427 hectares, covering more barangays in the municipality of Casiguran—farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples’ leaders and residents of the said municipality have repeatedly raised concerns against its expansion,” the anti-APECO group said in a statement.

The group is calling for the repeal of Republic Act 10083 (amended version of the RA 9490) renamed as the “Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO)”.

The anti -APECO movement fear that there would be massive land grabbing activities once the APECO project starts.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/354385/aurora-economic-zone-gain