Anomalous titles

Taal residents welcomed the ECC cancellation.

Ka Resting Dimayuga, chairperson of the Samahan ng mga Mamamayan sa Lawa ng Taal (Samataal or Organization of Residents on Taal Lake), said that one of their important demands is the cancellation of land titles around Taal.

Reports quoting the DENR revealed that the volcano is titled to at least four families: Laurel, Mayuga, Manigbas and de Jesus.

Meanwhile, Sen. Pia Cayetano wants to know how private individuals were able to get land titles to the areas surrounding Taal’s crater. Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, said that the volcano is supposed to be a protected area and therefore cannot be privately owned.

“It all comes down to one basic question: How were private individuals able to obtain land titles to the volcano, which is supposedly part of the public domain?” she asked.

The fight for a decent life

To continue their fight, residents and supporters would hold a fluvial parade on July 14. Dimayuga told Bulatlat that they will parade around 300 to 700 horses, which they use in bringing tourists up the volcano, as part of their protest against the project. A mass and a ritual would also be offered at the crater, he said.

“Bago pa man ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay may mga naninirahan nang pamilya sa isla. Lumaki na ang mga pamilyang ito henerasyon per henerasyon at dito na namumuhay hanggang sa kasalukuyan,” (Families have been living in the island even before World War II. Generations of families have lived here up to the present.) Dimayuga said. ”Maging nang ideklara na protected area,permanent danger zone at national tourist zone ang isla, kami ay nakibaka na upang magkaroon ng disenteng pamumuhay sa kabila ng kakulangan ng serbisyong panlipunang ipinagkakaloob ng pamahalaan tulad ng paaralan at edukasyon, kalusugan, tubig at kuryente.” (Even when it was declared a protected area, permanent danger zone and a national tourist zone we have been fighting for a decent life in spite of the lack in government services such as schools, education, health, water and electiricity.)(Bulatlat.com)

 Save as PDF