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On January 24, 2011, the Obando Municipal Government headed by Mayor Orencio E. Gabriel passed Resolution 07-102 that allows the construction of a privately-owned landfill in the fishing village of Salambao off Manila Bay.  In order to give way to this project the Municipal Government also passed an ordinance that reclassified the use of the land from agricultural to commercial and industrial.  On January  31, 2011, the municipal resolution was ratified and subsequently signed by Governor Willy Sy-Alvarado on June 22, 2011.

Barangay Salambao is composed of three sitios at the footpath (pilapil) surrounding adjacent fishpens (palaisdaan). A 44.4 hectare section of these fishpens is the proposed location of the sanitary landfill. This proposed Obando Sanitary Landfill is at the intersection of the Muzon River and Manila bay. These are areas of rich and abundant aquatic resources where fishermen from Binuangan, Malabon, Navotas, and Cavite daily take their sources of living. Being in the middle of Manila Bay and Muzon river, and is in itself a fishpond, the site is considered an area of environmentally sensitive resources.

Residents of Obando have spoken in public forums and peaceful assemblies to protest the proposed Obando Sanitary Landfill.  Protesters believe that creation of a landfill in Obando is illegal, that the landfill will harm the health of Obando River  and its people, will worsen the ongoing decades-long problems of flooding in Obando, will contribute to the continued deterioration of Manila Bay and will end the livelihood of tens of thousands of people who depend on the marine and aquatic life that the river and the bay provides.

Despite numerous protests, the Municipal Government refuses to hear their requests for more information and dialogue.  Peaceful assemblies are met with police harrassment and most recently, and most alarming of all, an Executive Order from Mayor Orencio Gabriel has been issued that violates the Basic Constitutional Rights to Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly.

We need your help.  Sign this petition and send a message to the Municipal and Provincial Government not only to protect the people of Obando, the Obando River, and Manila Bay but also to uphold the rights of people to voice out their concerns without fear of persecution from their leaders.

Ways to Help

 Educate yourself on the issue of the Obando Sanitary Landfill.  Explore the FAQ page to get answers on the basics of the issue.  Read on the history of how this project came about. Decide for yourself if this is a cause worthy of your advocay.

Sign the Petition. You can use the Petition Widget on the right navigation bar to sign the petition or click here to be taken to the Online Petition site. 


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