Press Kit

STOP THE OBANDO SANITARY LANDFILL


Items


Contact Information

For more information about the online petition, please contact Ibarra_Bonifacio@yahoo.com.


Introduction

About

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, and continue to speak, 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.


Facts

  • Obando is a municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It is 16 kilometers away from the Philippine capital Manila. Obando is landlocked, bordered by two cities from Metro Manila namely Valenzuela City in the east, Navotas and Malabon City in the south, Bulacan in the north, and the waters of Manila Bay in the west. According to the latest census, it has a population of 56,258 inhabitants in 11,229 households.
  • Flat and low-lying coastal plains characterize the general topography of Obando. Within the municipality are two rivers and three creeks namely Meycauayan River, in the north, Pinagkabalian River, in the south and Paco Creek, Hulo Creek and Pag-asa Creek traversing the town parallel to the provincial road.
  • Obando has a land area of 52.1 km². It has an urban area which comprise 2 barangays, the other 9 barangays of rural area of the abovecited area, 82.50% are fishponds. Obando is politically subdivided into 11 barangays (8 urban, 3 rural). Barangays Binuangan and Salambao are located along the Paliwas River, and can only be reached by means of motorized boats.
  • Obando has suffered from decades-long problems of flooding.  


History

See section on chronological and legislative history of the Obando Sanitary Landfill Project.


    Articles about the Sanitary Landfill Project

    Bakit No to Landfill
    Mark Louie Gonzales
    In this piece, Mark Louie Gonzales lists comprehensive reasons why a landfill should not be built in Obando.
    Link: http://beta.taopo.org/isyu/08/30/2011/bakit-no-landfill

    Bulacan Waste Landfill Opposed
    Ellalyn B. De Vera
    March 26, 2011
    De Vera reports on efforts by Ecowaste Coalition and anti-landfill advocates in Obando to call on DENR Ramon Paje to intervene in the construction of a waste landfill facility in Obando, Bulacan that Mayor Orencio Gabriel adopted in Municipal Resolution 102. This reports shows how landfill construction disregards the intent of DENR to cleanup Manila Bay and Obando River.
    Link: http://mb.com.ph/node/311510/bulacan-wa


    Bulacan priests cries harassment
    Carmela Reyes-Estrope
    Obando police dismantles a makeshift stage at the patio of the town church where he was supposed to hold a concert denouncing the construction of a sanitary landfill in that town. Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/60069/bulacan-priest-cries-harassment-by-police

    Obando resident call for rescue 
    Residents in Obando, Bulacan are calling for rescue as all 11 of its barangays are inundated by floods.
    Link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/27/11/obando-residents-call-rescue

    Frequently Asked Questions

    See section FAQ.


    Petitions



    Videos


    Proposed site of the Obando Sanitary Landfill Project
    Obandenyo.com

    Watch video


    Reporter's Notebook:GABUNDOK NA PELIGRO
    Courtesy: GMA Network Inc.
    Aired: September 6, 2011

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    Watch video

    Investigative Documentaries: Basura
    Courtesy: GMA NEWS TVAired: July 14, 2011   

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    Watch video

    Oyayi para sa Bayan ng Obando
    Wilfredo Offermaria Jr


    Commissioner Palaypay of the Zero Waste Movement
    In this video, Commissioner Palaypay discusses how Zero Waste Management with an emphasis on organic farming and composting can reduce our dependence on landfills to manage our solid waste.


    Diocesan Environmental Program



    Logos and Posters




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