Save Binuangan

Barangay Binuangan is a small island in the province of Obando, Bulacan Philippines. For centuries the community in Binuangan live with peace with nature. Their primary commerce is fishing. The sea surrounding their island is their source of food and income. The bounties of the sea send their children to school. There are also some who was born with artistic talent that instead of fishing they make masterpieces. They use the beauty of their surrounding water as their source of inspiration.
They live in peace and prosperity. But now their fishing community is threaten. A nearby town, Navotas has converted their vast land, just boundaries to Binuangan into an open dumpsite. The wastes are coming from major cities in the Philippines. The tons of garbage are being shipped using open barge boats passing the sea of Binuangan. Trash that fell from the barges and the dumpsite floats in the sea. Toxic fumes could be smell from the homes of families living in Binuangan. Dead fishes float in the sea. The impact to their livelihood is tremendous. Fishfence and oyster cultivation is now impossible, specially the oyster which could only grow in exceptional clean water. Just years ago Binuangan was known for oyster cultivation.
People specially children are getting sick. They have bronchitis and skin diseases. Proliferation of flies, cockroaches and mice has also been observed.
The neglect of the government to Binuangan was obvious eversince. Children go to public school during rainy seasons wearing rubber boots because their classrooms were flooded. They tolerate the government's neglect to them for years, but now they cannot endure anymore.
The people of Binuangan protested They wrote to the President of the Republic of the Philippines. They even used their fishing boats to barricade the boat barges carrying wastes. The government's action was they send military personels. The presence of military gives an intimidation to the community. Because of the anti- masses action of the government, the community has no resort but to wrote another letter. This time addressed to the National Democratic Front. The armed struggle group of the Philippines. Two months ago the rebellion group raided the military detachment in Binuangan. They disarmed the military and took their communication equipments. Good thing there was no bloodshed. Again, the government reacted to the incident. They sent more troops to the site.
Now there is tension in Binuangan. The peace loving people whose only wealth is the sea and the nature surrounding their community are in constant fear. Afraid of what might kill them first, the bullet or the garbage.
The Philippine government is pro- environment. Just last month they banned the use of CFC to car aircons. Car owners whose vehicle models are 1998 and prior must convert their CFC aircons to HFC. Ofcourse, the government only did this because of the pressure of the international community. The direct impact of the pollution to the masses has no significance to them.
The survival now of Binuanagan lies in the hands of the international community. To those who have the power, authority or any ways and means. To those who still believe in Humanity.

-Binuangan Artists Society www.artmajeur.com/binuangan