Another battle is yet to be fought in Lapayan

Construction machines and equipment for the coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, LdN have started to clear the area and transport construction materials. Photo: A. Manisan  

After successfully stopping the quarry application and operation in Mialunod River, residents of Brgy. Libertad (formerly called Lapayan) in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte firmed up their resolve in advancing the welfare of their community while protecting their environment.  

The community is one of the hosts of the 540 megawatt coal-fired-power plant which is being constructed in more than 100 hectares of land between Libertad and Tacub in Kauswagan. 

Since the construction started, several complains from the communities have been raised. Among these are displacement of the fisherfolks from their livelihood, relocation and compensation issues, and destruction of marine ecosystem. 

Concerns over the negative effects of the coal-fired power plant are also shared by the residents especially those who are living right beside the plant. 

On March 27, 2015 they formally formed an organization called Libertad Power Movement Association (LMPA).  This initiative aimed at strengthening their voice and efforts in pushing their collective demands to protect their community from disaster and ecological damage.

Anti-quarry wins

The community in Libertad is glad over the cessation of the quarry operation in Mialunod River. 

Mialunod River plays a vital role in the lives of the surrounding community. Some Lapayan residents wash their dishes and clothes in the river. Others also take a bath here. 

The Sanguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Lanao del Norte, released a resolution dated March 02, 2015, to support the resolution of the Barangay Council of Libertad that prohibits quarry operation in Mialunod River. The SP said resolution also implored the Office of the Provincial Governor “to issue a cease and desist order to persons or entity who are quarrying at Mialunod River… without quarry permit issued by the Office of the Provincial Governor.”

While waiting for the “cease and desist order”, the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted an investigation. According to one of the DENR personnel who refused to be identified, during their actual visit to the area, they had witnessed the actual quarry operation. As such, they requested to stop the operation while their investigation is going on. 

To remember, the community vehemently opposed the application and the quarry operation in Mialunod River as they were afraid of possible floods. Libertad was flooded twice (1999 and 2014) that caused lives and properties. 
   
Few months ago, the residents of the said barangay undertook series of activities from placards display along the highway, mobilization, prayer rally to petition signing which gathered more than 500 signatures. 

They demanded the authorities to prohibit quarry operation in Mialunod River instead set-up “FLOOD CONTROL” to protect the communities from flood. 

Facts about People Resistance against Quarry Application in Libertad, Kauswagan, LdN

Residents of Brgy. Libertad in Kauswagan, LDN mount placards outside
their houses and along the highway showing their resistance to quarry
application and demanding the re-installation of their suspended barangay captain
Photo Courtesy: Jpoy Cloa Roble 

Barangay Libertad in the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte was badly hit twice (in 1999 and 2014) by flood that caused properties, livelihood and lives of the residence.  This experience prompted the people of the barangay to oppose the quarry application in Mialunod River which is a tributary river of Napo River.

In September 2014, Mr. Edgar Tiongco, represented by Mr. Hipolito Arcaso, applied for a quarry permit of 45,000 meters long in the Barangay. During the public consultation to discuss the said application, held on October 3, 2014 with the participation of the Municipal Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Councilors and Municipal Planning and Development Officer, the quarry application was opposed by the community.

In the 19^th Regular Session of the barangay council dated October 15, 2014, the barangay council voted whether to give Mr. Edgar Tiongco permit or not in his application to quarry. Despite the opposition from the community, three (3) councilors voted no while four (4) voted yes. However, considering the clamor of his people to stop the quarry application, Barangay Captain Mervin V. Roble did not sign the barangay resolution permitting the quarry to operate.

With his refusal to sign the resolution, the Barangay Captain was sued with administrative case in the office of Sangguniang Bayan by Mr. Tiongco. As a result, the Sangguniang Bayan of Kauswagan enacted a resolution for his preventive suspension as Barangay Captain while the investigation of the case filed against him is on the process. The preventive suspension order was served on March 10, 2015. With his suspension, the 1^st Brgy. Councilor who is among those who voted yes to grant the quarry permit will act as the OIC.   

Prior to the preventive suspension of the Barangay Captain, on February 7, 2015 the community initiated a petition signing. The petition, which already gathered 589 signatures representing seven (7) puroks, was turned into a unified Purok Resolution reiterating their demand: NO TO QUARRY IN MIALUNOD RIVER, YES TO FLOOD CONTROL.  During the Special Session of the Barangay Council on February 26, 2015, a barangay resolution approving the said Purok resolution was passed and approved by 4 barangay councils.   

Since March 2, 2015 the community has been organizing placard raising, mobilization along the highway, prayer rally in the Barangay Auditorium and sending of complaint letter to the Office of the Governor to demand: NO QUARRY, YES TO FLOOD CONTROL and LIFT THE PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION OF THEIR BARANGAY CAPTAIN.

It is believed that the quarrying is in preparation for the construction of the Coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan. The coal-fired power plant is a project supported and endorsed by the MLGU of Kauswagan through the Municipal Mayor Rommel Arnado.